The Stormers will gladly discard any notion of playing an expansive game, if it will bring them their first Super Rugby title.

Seasoned lock Anton van Zyl, speaking to iafrica.com ahead of the team's opening pre-season encounter with the Western Force at Newlands on Saturday, said there is something special about their build-up this year and he is confident they will be able to put the disappointments of the past behind them.

Obviously the cynics will be quick to point out that the same air of optimism accompanied the Cape Town franchise's build-up in previous years, but all they have to show for their efforts are semifinal appearances in 1999 and 2004 - finishing ninth and lower on the standings four out of the five subsequent years.

However, this season will be different, according to Van Zyl, who spoke with enthusiasm about the efforts to get them playing as a team - instead of being a team of brilliant individuals.

Much of this year's optimism have been fuelled by the arrival of World Cup-winning Springboks Bryan Habana and Jaque Fourie, but the Stormers feel it is how well those players fit into the team systems and ethos that will really make the difference.

"Everyone is quick to point to our new acquisitions, and they are wonderful acquisitions, but the management, together with the senior players are really focussing and are committed to the team harmony and the team vide," Van Zyl told rugthis website, when asked about the usual pre-season expectations in Cape Town.

"Our vision and focus this year is all based around being and getting better as a team.

"I think that is going to be a major difference from campaigns that I have been a part of in the past ... and I'm sure speaking for the rest of the guys as well."

Van Zyl, who spent several years playing for the Lions in Johannesburg before returning to Cape Town after last year's Super 14, admitted that much of how successful they will be this year will depend on their mental strength and not so much the physical prowess of individuals.

"We've seen year in and year out, it is not the fanciest game plans that win or the team with the 15 most brilliant individuals," Van Zyl told iafrica.com, adding: "It is the guys who can, week in and week out, produce consistent team performances ... those are the guys who will be there at the business end of the season."

Van Zyl, a workhorse who initially moved from Cape Town to Johannesburg to complete his Chartered Accounting qualifications, is very much a late bloomer and became an integral part in the Lions' set-up in the last few years.

After last year's Super 14 the 29-year-old former Rondebosch Boys High pupil joined up with Western Province and played a crucial role in them reaching the Currie Cup semifinals - where they were one high tackle and three minutes away from a spot in the Final.

Not shy to do the hard yards, Van Zyl is determined to now reproduce the same impressive form that saw him being a regular in the Lions second row and help the Stormers reach their goal of Super Rugby glory.

He said the pre-season build-up, which will get its first Test against the Force at Newlands on Saturday, has been impressive.

"We had a very positive and constructive period before Christmas, while the Springboks were still away and when the guys from the Boks joined us now at the beginning of the year, including the new recruits, we pretty much picked up exactly where we left off.

"The guys have been fantastic in getting back into the systems, getting back into our pattern and everybody is very excited ... even just for the warm-up games."