Stormers speedster Leolin Zas determined to end year on a high note

Fresh from scoring in a North-South derby win, Leolin Zas is looking forward to helping the Stormers cap off an unbeaten year at home against the Lions on Saturday.

Zas dotted down in the United Rugby Championship clash last Friday as the Stormers extended their impressive winning run at the DHL Stadium, producing a second-half flurry down the Bulls in convincing fashion and climb into second place on the URC table.

"The most satisfying thing about the performance against the Vodacom Bulls was that the plan we had worked," said Zas. "All of our special moves and plans we put in place came off and we scored tries from them. The atmosphere and the number of people that were there made it even more special."

The try against the Bulls was Zas' second score of the current campaign after the winger returned in October from an ankle injury.

Last season's top try-scorer, Zas explained that the Stormers' counter-attacking strategy is something that fits him like a glove.

"Our willingness to attack from anywhere is just something that excites me. It's something that I like and it also keeps me on my toes. It's in our DNA as a team and it's certainly in mine as a player. It just makes me excited to go to work every day and play every week.

"I just play what I feel. The backing of coaches and players to do what I feel is the best thing for me. Freedom and confidence plays a big role in how I play."

The Stormers will be back in action on Saturday, when they host the Lions in a New Year's Eve clash.

Among the Lions' ranks is speedster Edwill van der Merwe, who made his senior professional debut for Western Province and played for the Stormers between 2019 and 2021.

"We played together and I know him quite well. Edwill is a great player and I rate him very highly," Zas said. "He has the ability to do great things and is very talented.

"But we're not just going to focus on one player. It's not about the battle between me and him. It's about the team and we can't just focus on him only."

The Stormers on Saturday will have the opportunity to cap a memorable 2022 by remaining unbeaten at home, but to do so they will have to stop the team that last beat them in their own backyard in December of last year.

"It's been a great year and it's always an incredible occasion to play at DHL Stadium. I realised on Friday night again what a big difference the fans make to us - I was so happy with the turnout of around 30 000 people. Our fans are just something else... they just bring out the best of us.

"We've been putting in the work and are all excited for Saturday. We cannot wait for it and are looking forward to ending the year off on a high. I know we will pull it off."