Stormers' big boss John Dobson has thrown down the gauntlet – it's Currie Cup or bust for Western Province in two years! After a lackluster show last season, finishing second to last, Dobson's crew has been limping along without a point in the current standings. They took a beating from the Bulls and Lions, and let's just say, the scores weren’t pretty.
Dobson, who kicked off his coaching tenure with WP in 2015 and saw some early finals action, expressed his determination on The Lekker Rugby Pod, "I began coaching Western Province in 2015 and we made the final in my first year. We made it again in 2018, when we went unbeaten in the league phase before losing to the Sharks at Newlands, and haven’t made a final since. My plan, and I don’t know exactly how much runway we’ve got, is that in two years’ time I want to win the Currie Cup. We have to." Clearly, Dobbo's not in the mood to see his team keep playing the underdogs.
"I don’t think the people of Cape Town enjoy watching us take 30 or 40 points every week."
So, what’s the game plan? It seems WP is pulling all stops, bringing in the likes of Tristan Leyds and Zain Davids from the sevens squad, alongside fresh talents like Cabous Eloff and Alex Groves. Dobson’s clear he’s not here to babysit any more fading stars but to build a competitive squad that can stand its ground.
Meanwhile, Dobson handed over the Currie Cup coaching reins to Labeeb Levy for 2025, a local hero from Bo Kaap. Described by Dobson as "an absolute rugby nut," Levy has been making waves with his dynamic coaching style, which saw the most offloads in last season's URC under his watch.
"The community really loves him, and I felt he deserved this opportunity."
With Levy at the helm, armed with a beefier squad and prioritized access to the U21s and Junior Boks, things might just look up for WP. Dobson hinted he might even lend some more of his Stormers stars as the season progresses. The community's darling and a tactical whiz, Levy’s popularity and innovative approach might just be the breath of fresh air WP needs to claw its way back to the top.
Only time will tell if Dobson's two-year ultimatum will forge champions or just be another chapter in the book of could-haves. One thing's for sure, the heat is on in Western Province, and everyone’s watching!