Stormers' director of rugby, John Dobson, sees his team on the brink of achieving greatness this season. With the Vodacom URC clash against Edinburgh looming this Saturday at Cape Town Stadium, Dobson draws a stark comparison to their past, highlighting a significant leap from 15th to 2nd place on the log in just one year. "This time last year, exactly the same round, we were 15th," Dobson remarked. "Now we’re second. That’s up to us to control, and it’s not easy, but it’s a great position to be in."
The Stormers have not only improved their standings but their upcoming schedule presents a golden opportunity with three home games ahead. "We’ve got a chance to do something really special that’s within our hands. We’re not motivated by fear of missing out anymore or chasing the top eight, we’ve got a real opportunity," Dobson explained, urging fans to get behind the team for what promises to be an exhilarating few weeks:
"This is a lekker position for Stormers rugby to be in. If people get behind us, come to the games and enjoy it, it’s going to be a hell of a ride over the next few weeks."
Dobson also highlighted the significance of the team's depth, freshly demonstrated by the Stormers XXIII's recent victory over the Sharks XV. Players like Mfundo Ndhlovu shone in that match, hinting at the burgeoning talent ready to impact the main squad. "What’s happening with that group is massive for us," Dobson stated. "A year or two ago we didn’t have that, now we’ve got young players who are ready to go."
Amidst these developments, Dobson faces the challenge of rotating his squad to maintain competitiveness across different competitions, including the upcoming Champions Cup clash against Toulon. He remarked on the necessity of balancing immediate game requirements with strategic player development, such as giving Immy Khan crucial game time: "65 minutes in Durban in a high-speed game probably tees him up better for Toulon than this week when we’re going to need to be pretty grim against Edinburgh."
As the Stormers navigate their URC commitments and the looming Champions Cup fixtures, the depth and readiness of their younger players will be crucial. Dobson admits, "It’s going to be very hard. If we get through Toulon, it becomes even tougher, but that’s where building squad depth becomes crucial." With a challenging yet thrilling schedule ahead, the Stormers are not just fighting to maintain their current form but are pushing for an extraordinary finish to the season.
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Stormers' director of rugby, John Dobson, sees his team on the brink of achieving greatness this season. With the Vodacom URC clash against Edinburgh looming this Saturday at Cape Town Stadium, Dobson draws a stark comparison to their past, highlighting a significant leap from 15th to 2nd place on the log in just one year. "This time last year, exactly the same round, we were 15th," Dobson remarked. "Now we’re second. That’s up to us to control, and it’s not easy, but it’s a great position to be in."
The Stormers have not only improved their standings but their upcoming schedule presents a golden opportunity with three home games ahead. "We’ve got a chance to do something really special that’s within our hands. We’re not motivated by fear of missing out anymore or chasing the top eight, we’ve got a real opportunity," Dobson explained, urging fans to get behind the team for what promises to be an exhilarating few weeks:
"This is a lekker position for Stormers rugby to be in. If people get behind us, come to the games and enjoy it, it’s going to be a hell of a ride over the next few weeks."
Dobson also highlighted the significance of the team's depth, freshly demonstrated by the Stormers XXIII's recent victory over the Sharks XV. Players like Mfundo Ndhlovu shone in that match, hinting at the burgeoning talent ready to impact the main squad. "What’s happening with that group is massive for us," Dobson stated. "A year or two ago we didn’t have that, now we’ve got young players who are ready to go."
Amidst these developments, Dobson faces the challenge of rotating his squad to maintain competitiveness across different competitions, including the upcoming Champions Cup clash against Toulon. He remarked on the necessity of balancing immediate game requirements with strategic player development, such as giving Immy Khan crucial game time: "65 minutes in Durban in a high-speed game probably tees him up better for Toulon than this week when we’re going to need to be pretty grim against Edinburgh."
As the Stormers navigate their URC commitments and the looming Champions Cup fixtures, the depth and readiness of their younger players will be crucial. Dobson admits, "It’s going to be very hard. If we get through Toulon, it becomes even tougher, but that’s where building squad depth becomes crucial." With a challenging yet thrilling schedule ahead, the Stormers are not just fighting to maintain their current form but are pushing for an extraordinary finish to the season.