Fleck: We can still catch Lions
The Lions smashed the Stormers 52-31 at Ellis Park on Saturday, which gave them a 12-point lead over the Cape side in the South African conference.
However, the Lions embark on a four-week tour of Australasia where they will play the Waratahs, Reds, Hurricanes and Highlanders and this has given Fleck some hope.
"I think we can still catch them [Lions]," said Fleck.
"They’ve got a tough tour ahead of them but the way they played tonight [Saturday] obviously they can look forward to the tour, but by no means are we out of it.
"We still got another eight games to go, so we can catch up."
One glaring positive to come out of that defeat for the Stormers was the performance of Springbok Pieter-Steph du Toit.
Du Toit was powerful with ball in hand and gave his all in a losing cause.
"He [Du Toit) was exceptionally good whether he plays at seven [flank] or back at five [lock]. I thought he played his part today.
"He was certainly outstanding and if we had won it I'm sure he would have landed up as man of the match," Fleck added.
The Stormers and the Lions enjoy a bye in Round Nine.
The Stormers return to action against the Sharks at Kings Park in Durban on Saturday, April 21.
By Josh Isaacson
@isaacson_j
@rugby365com
