After missing out on the play-offs in 2008 and 2009, an improvement in defence – which saw Western Province end the 2009 Currie Cup season with the fewest points conceded – also led to an improvement of the Stormers' fortunes. In 2010, the team finished second after the regular season, having conceded just 171 points in 13 matches, 117 points less than the , who had the second-best defence. The team made is all the way to the final, where they lost to fellow South African side the and Western Province achieved the same feat domestically, before losing to the in the 2010 Currie Cup final. Nienaber's record as a defence coach was noted by the South African national team, and was approached to join their staff, but the move was blocked by his existing employers.