Cobus Reinach the bridge that connects Stormers' flair with much-needed fundamentals

If there is one criticism about the plethora of highly-skilled attacking players in the Stormers' backline is that they sometimes go a bit overboard with their party tricks.

That's why there is seldom a middle ground when it comes to the Cape side. On the day when everything clicks, they are deadly and a joy to watch. But they also regularly mix the sublime with the incredibly daft. So, when things go awry, it does so spectacularly.

The Stormers have yet to find that sweet spot where they play their attractive brand brand of rugby without those terrible head-loss moments, which on occasion has left coach John Dobson to watch the matches from behind the chair in the coach's box.

The basics of the game still remain. When the All Blacks were the great attacking force during the height of of their dominance, they were the best in the business at getting the fundamentals of the game spot on.

The Stormers have some of the best creative rugby players on the park, with Manie Libbok and Warrick Gelant two natural ball players. They are also still waiting for the return of Damian Willemse and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who are going to be make them even more dangerous to deal with.

But sometimes it looks like the Stormers' playmakers try and force things when it's not quite going their way. It's a lack of patience more than anything else, especially when they have to play catch-up rugby.

When they are dominating, especially in the forward stakes, they can be mouthwatering prospect, such as in their previous match against the Sale Sharks at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town. They made it look so easy, with their natural flair coming to fore in a big way when taking the game to the opposition.

But then there are those games when it looks like they are playing touch rugby in a bit of quicksand, making passes and offloads that aren't on and putting teammates under pressure.

However, their days of producing inconsistent displays may be numbered after they signed double World Cup-winning Springbok Cobus Reinach to come and add a bit of experience and "rugby IQ" to their efforts next season.

Reinach is a player who can take charge from No 9, which will take some of the decision-making pressure off a Libbok and Galant.

Reinach can run, pass and kick, but more importantly dictate the tempo of a game at the base of a ruck. His years of experience and playing at the highest level will also help those around him make better decisions on the field.

“I feel that I have a lot to offer within their game model, so I look forward to connecting with my new teammates and coaches when I move down to Cape Town at the end of the season,” the 34-year-old Bok said in a statement on Tuesday.

It's a pity Reinach is only joining the Stormers from next season, as he could have already played a major role in trying to get them back in contention in all competitions. But for now they have to depend on the players they have to minimise their "Jekyll and Hyde" displays.

@JohnGoliath82