Deon Fourie opens up on the changing of the guard at the Stormers

The Cape Town franchise has suffered somewhat of a leadership vacuum this season. Springboks Steven Kitshoff and Marvin Orie have departed for the northern hemisphere, while new squad captain Salmaan Moerat suffered a pectoral injury that's put him out for at least five months.

Fourie - who first ran out for the franchise in 2008 - has seen it all before. Speaking to Rugby365, the veteran revealed how forwards Neething Fouche and Adre Smith are two players who have stepped up to fill the vacuum.

"That's how life works, you get people in and some leave," said the 37-year-old.

"Neethling has stepped up and he is talking and inspiring the okes. Adre is taking up some responsibility at defensive line-out time.

"He is not the Adre I knew before I left for the Boks, so those guys have stepped up and they have grown as leaders as well.

"That is how you form leaders, by putting them in situations and seeing how they are doing and they rose to the occasion.

"Yes, you will never replace a Kitsie or a Marvin but with the guys coming through, that's part of growing and being a better leader and player. Things have changed, but so has life."

That leadership was evident in the Stormers' recent trip north to Leicester for a tough Champions Cup fixture. Led by the everlasting Brock Harris in his 402nd career match, a depleted Stormers outfit were well in the match until the last quarter, going down 26-35 at Welford Road.

"We've seen against Leicester Tigers that we are getting there," added Fourie.

"They followed the plan and the plan worked. They almost walked away with four points. We learnt from that and everyone will learn from some of the decisions we made and we are moving forward."

The Stormers superstars will be back to take on La Rochelle in what is sure to be an epic Champions Cup encounter in Cape Town on Saturday.

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