Western Province backline coach Robbie Fleck has sent the forwards back into the ruck so that the backs can finally play with the ball.

Fleck believes that a change of approach has helped to get the backs on the front foot and able show their skills by playing with ball in hand.

Too often during the Super Rugby campaign the Stormers backline was crowded with forwards, which contributed to the side's low try scoring ratio.

"We've made one of two changes in the way we want to attack and our major focus has been to get the forwards out of the way and not have the backline split like it was in Super Rugby," Fleck told this website. "Our backs were cleaning a lot of rucks and the forwards were taking all the best ball, so we've change our systems and that's made a massive difference.

Fleck admits that another huge advantage has been having the same flyhalf wearing the No.10 jersey for more than two weeks  in a row, after the side had a string of injuries in the first half of the year losing Peter Grant, Lionel Cronje, Gary van Aswegen and Sam Lane.

"It makes a difference when a key player rocks up to training every Monday without an injury," he quipped.

"That [constant changes at flyalf] impeded out Super Rugby performances and we felt that our attacking game wasn't on par of where we wanted to be, so the backline suffered as a result."

Demetri Catrakilis has filled the void at pivot with distinction in the early part of the Currie Cup and has impressed the coaches.

"Having a flyhalf who is controlling the game it makes such a difference, and Demetri is a clever player who makes the right decision nine time out of ten and he doesn't get flustered if something goes wrong," Fleck added.

Catrakilis will be tested once again this weekend against the Cheetahs flyhalf Sias Ebersohn, who was one of the finds of the Super Rugby season, while Heinrich Brussow - as you'd expect from any quality openside flank - will be hunting the young flyhalf.

By Timmy Hancox