As the dust settles from their emphatic 33-14 victory over Edinburgh, the Stormers, under the guidance of John Dobson, are gearing up for a monumental clash against Toulon in the Investec Champions Cup last 16. The South African squad is hitting the French coast with ambitions set high, facing what Dobson calls a "glitterati of a team."
The Stormers' recent triumphs have not only solidified their second place in the Vodacom URC standings but have also prepped them for a rigorous test against a Toulon side renowned for its prowess and agility. "It’s a really good Toulon team," Dobson admitted, highlighting the French team's strong scrum and rapid gameplay that previously overpowered them. Yet, the resolve in the Stormers camp is palpable as Dobson aims to lead his team into uncharted territory.
"No South African team has made a semi-final, so that’s something we’re very aware of,"
he noted, underscoring the historical significance of their upcoming endeavor.
Despite past setbacks and injuries, Dobson is confident in his squad's depth, which has seen significant improvements over the years.
"Now, despite the injuries, I feel like we’ve got a bit more depth and the ability to go full-out for this,"
Dobson stated, reflecting a strategic optimism for the high-stakes game ahead.
The tactical battle will be intense, with Dobson humorously suggesting that it might require the alignment of planets for a victory at Stade Mayol. However, he quickly returned to a more technical analysis, emphasizing the critical role of their set-piece and the need to adapt their play style against Toulon's formidable scrum.
Stormers captain Ruhan Nel shared his excitement about the match, recalling past encounters with French teams and anticipating the unique atmosphere of playing at Toulon's home ground. "Even playing them in the Eastern Cape a couple of years ago, just to face a French team of that magnitude, was a special occasion for us," Nel commented on the experience.
The Stormers will draw upon their recent successful outing in France against Bayonne and their strong performance in the pool stages, where their only loss came against Harlequins with a rotated squad. As the Investec Champions Cup progresses, all eyes will be on whether the Stormers can translate their domestic prowess onto the European stage and perhaps, make history.
Investec Champions Cup round of 16 fixtures feature several compelling matchups, including Toulon vs Stormers, ensuring a thrilling weekend of rugby action.
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As the dust settles from their emphatic 33-14 victory over Edinburgh, the Stormers, under the guidance of John Dobson, are gearing up for a monumental clash against Toulon in the Investec Champions Cup last 16. The South African squad is hitting the French coast with ambitions set high, facing what Dobson calls a "glitterati of a team."
The Stormers' recent triumphs have not only solidified their second place in the Vodacom URC standings but have also prepped them for a rigorous test against a Toulon side renowned for its prowess and agility. "It’s a really good Toulon team," Dobson admitted, highlighting the French team's strong scrum and rapid gameplay that previously overpowered them. Yet, the resolve in the Stormers camp is palpable as Dobson aims to lead his team into uncharted territory.
"No South African team has made a semi-final, so that’s something we’re very aware of,"
he noted, underscoring the historical significance of their upcoming endeavor.Despite past setbacks and injuries, Dobson is confident in his squad's depth, which has seen significant improvements over the years.
"Now, despite the injuries, I feel like we’ve got a bit more depth and the ability to go full-out for this,"
Dobson stated, reflecting a strategic optimism for the high-stakes game ahead.The tactical battle will be intense, with Dobson humorously suggesting that it might require the alignment of planets for a victory at Stade Mayol. However, he quickly returned to a more technical analysis, emphasizing the critical role of their set-piece and the need to adapt their play style against Toulon's formidable scrum.
Stormers captain Ruhan Nel shared his excitement about the match, recalling past encounters with French teams and anticipating the unique atmosphere of playing at Toulon's home ground. "Even playing them in the Eastern Cape a couple of years ago, just to face a French team of that magnitude, was a special occasion for us," Nel commented on the experience.
The Stormers will draw upon their recent successful outing in France against Bayonne and their strong performance in the pool stages, where their only loss came against Harlequins with a rotated squad. As the Investec Champions Cup progresses, all eyes will be on whether the Stormers can translate their domestic prowess onto the European stage and perhaps, make history.
Investec Champions Cup round of 16 fixtures feature several compelling matchups, including Toulon vs Stormers, ensuring a thrilling weekend of rugby action.