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Stormers' coach Allister Coetzee says that while it is defence that wins competitions, his team were taking more risks on attack - but not ridiculously so because it was all about decision-making.

It was a satisfied but modest Coetzee who spoke soon after the final whistle of the Stormers' impressively clinical five-try 37-13 victory over the Hurricanes at Newlands on Saturday.

"I'm pretty pleased with the way we played, but the more pleasing thing for me is that we're improving every week. We're maintaining our defence, which was outstanding again and it gives us more opportunity to take more risks on attack.

"I think the attack is getting there as well. We've scored five tries tonight [Saturday] and we created opportunities to score even more. We realise we've still got some work to do. The mere fact that we're scoring five tries doesn't mean that we're there yet."

He added: "This team backs the systems we've put in place. The players believe in those systems. There's no doubt about the attitude, the physicality, no doubt about the pack that can compete against any pack - and it's brilliant to see that the backs are coming along nicely. We're happy with where we are at this [stage of] the season, but we're still a work in progess.

"The guys are enjoying themselves. There was a definite respect for the ball. We were a lot more composed. I'm happy with the way the guys are having a go on attack. A couple of games ago on attack we would just kick the ball away but [in this game] we held onto the ball and took it through another phase or two and it paid dividends."

He said that while the team were taking more risks on attack, they would "not do it ridiculously - there's no time for disco passes in this game. It's all about the decision-making on attack."

But defence remained a priority focus. "Defence will always win you competitions. I've never seen an attacking side win any competition," said the coach.

Asked to comment on the resurgence of Sireli Naqelevuki after his high tackle cost Western Province a home final in the Currie Cup last October, Coetzee said: "We're all human beings. In bad times you've got to back someone because when he's back and he's confident, he will produce. Sireli is a world-class player. I'm happy to see Sireli's confidence is back and he's producing."

He said the forwards had come a long way since the days of being labelled as 'butterflies' and 'powderpuff girls'.

"The guys pride themselves on their physicality. We know we have to over-power them [the opposition] physically and to outwork them off the ball. All credit to our guys; they've done that."

Coetzee praised the analysis done by individual players each week on the opposition. It was important to try to be a bit smarter than the opposition and the players' contribution to the analysis ahead of each game, and the leadership of Schalk Burger, deserved a lot of credit.

Asked whether Peter Grant had secured his position at flyhalf, the coach described the pivot as "a fantastic player".

"He's been making the right calls. His organisational skills have improved a hell of a lot. People just look at the core skills like kicking and passing but his organisational skills of the people around him have been outstanding. He's an unsung hero who does his talking on the field."

Coetzee said Jaque Fourie had been good with ball in hand, but that he also fulfilled other roles for the team, such as defensive organisation and he did a lot of work off the ball as well.

The coach said the focus was not yet on the Australasian tour but at this stage on the Cheetahs, who come to Newlands next weekend.

He said the Cheetahs played with width and would test the Stormers' defence. They had excellent passers in their side and their physicality was good.

"They're playing good rugby, They're a confident side. They're coming to Newlands with one mission. They've selected their team already; they've studied us," said Coetzee.

He added: "The players must enjoy the win tonight [Saturday], but come Monday we'll plan for the Cheetahs."

Asked whether this was the best Stormers' performance in which he had been involved, captain Schalk Burger said he had played in some great Stormers' games, such as the win against the Blues in Auckland in 2004 and a few excellent wins in 2008, but this one had been one of the best at Newlands in the last four or five years.

"It's always nice to play in front of over 44,000 people in Cape Town," said Burger.

By Len Kaplan