Stormers' coach John Dobson has laid out his master plan for the season, and it smells like fresh strategy with a hint of muscle. With Evan Roos potentially out of the picture due to Springbok duties, Dobson has played a blinder by pulling Ruan Ackermann into the squad. Ackermann, a sturdy number from Gloucester, is set to step into Roos' big boots as the new cover for the powerhouse.
Ackermann's arrival couldn't be better timed. With Roos likely donning the green and gold for the year, the Stormers were staring at a potential gap in their lineup that could fit a bus. But now, with Ruan on board, it's a different game. "Ruan’s core job will be to cover for Evan," Dobson declared, laying the cards on the table.
"We could end up with Ruan at 6, BJ at 7 and Evan at No 8 if you wanted to be really physical with Paul [de Villiers] and Marcel [Theunissen] coming off the bench."
The plot thickens with Ben-Jason Dixon sticking around till 2027 after some behind-the-scenes drama that almost saw him out of the picture. This solidifies an already potent back row that Dobson is itching to deploy. Imagine this trio thundering down the pitch—opponents might need more than just strategy to hold them back.
Ruan's role isn't just as an understudy, though. Dobson is keen on not overworking Roos, who's been the Stormers' battering ram, often playing the full 80 minutes. "There is also the option of Ruan and Evan sharing game time, because we were going to injure Evan if we carried on playing him for 80 minutes and asking him to do what we did," Dobson noted, highlighting a shift towards more sustainable player usage.
"I would say Ruan is always in the [matchday] 23."
With Moerat away, there's even talk of Dixon stepping into the No.4 jersey, showcasing the tactical flexibility Dobson now has at his disposal. As the Stormers gear up for their European tour, this depth and versatility in the squad could be the key to a season that doesn't just promise, but delivers some heavy hits and thrilling rugby. Watch this space—Dobson's men are not here to play games... well, not just any games.
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Stormers' coach John Dobson has laid out his master plan for the season, and it smells like fresh strategy with a hint of muscle. With Evan Roos potentially out of the picture due to Springbok duties, Dobson has played a blinder by pulling Ruan Ackermann into the squad. Ackermann, a sturdy number from Gloucester, is set to step into Roos' big boots as the new cover for the powerhouse.
Ackermann's arrival couldn't be better timed. With Roos likely donning the green and gold for the year, the Stormers were staring at a potential gap in their lineup that could fit a bus. But now, with Ruan on board, it's a different game. "Ruan’s core job will be to cover for Evan," Dobson declared, laying the cards on the table.
"We could end up with Ruan at 6, BJ at 7 and Evan at No 8 if you wanted to be really physical with Paul [de Villiers] and Marcel [Theunissen] coming off the bench."
The plot thickens with Ben-Jason Dixon sticking around till 2027 after some behind-the-scenes drama that almost saw him out of the picture. This solidifies an already potent back row that Dobson is itching to deploy. Imagine this trio thundering down the pitch—opponents might need more than just strategy to hold them back.
Ruan's role isn't just as an understudy, though. Dobson is keen on not overworking Roos, who's been the Stormers' battering ram, often playing the full 80 minutes. "There is also the option of Ruan and Evan sharing game time, because we were going to injure Evan if we carried on playing him for 80 minutes and asking him to do what we did," Dobson noted, highlighting a shift towards more sustainable player usage.
"I would say Ruan is always in the [matchday] 23."
With Moerat away, there's even talk of Dixon stepping into the No.4 jersey, showcasing the tactical flexibility Dobson now has at his disposal. As the Stormers gear up for their European tour, this depth and versatility in the squad could be the key to a season that doesn't just promise, but delivers some heavy hits and thrilling rugby. Watch this space—Dobson's men are not here to play games... well, not just any games.