In a bold move that has ruffled feathers and sparked debate, Stormers coach John Dobson has made it clear that the exclusion of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and JD Schickerling from the starting lineup for the upcoming Investec Champions Cup clash against Toulon is purely strategic. This weekend’s game at Stade Mayol promises high stakes and high drama, with Dobson rolling the dice on his team composition.
Dobson’s choice to start Jurie Matthee at flyhalf while keeping Schickerling and Feinberg-Mngomezulu benched is part of a larger scheme aimed at unleashing fresh energy in the crucial stages of the game. “
“We thought guys like JD and Sacha could make a helluva difference coming on. We just have to be careful with their load,”
Dobson explained, dismissing any rumors of form-related demotions.
The strategy extends beyond mere player rotation; it’s about cultivating depth within the squad. “We also wanted to build a bit of capacity by giving Connor [Evans] and Jurie some rugby, so it was about building depth but also thinking how we want to finish this game,” Dobson elaborated, underscoring the tactical nuances of managing player fatigue and readiness.
Opting to keep the broader squad details under wraps, Dobson aims to maintain a competitive edge by limiting the intelligence available to Toulon – a tactic that seems to be gaining traction among top teams. “Everyone seems to have stopped doing it. I know the Bulls did it this week, but it’s really died out. It just seems like an unnecessary way of giving the opposition information,” he noted, emphasizing the benefits of strategic ambiguity.
Despite Toulon’s recent rough patch in the Top 14, Dobson is bracing for a tough encounter. The French side, plagued by injuries but bolstered by the likes of Charles Ollivon, remains a formidable opponent. Dobson is aware of the underdog narrative but remains confident. “
“This is Toulon’s road to redemption... We’ve got no illusions about what people think the outcome’s going to be, but we’ll be giving them a pleasant surprise tomorrow – I have no doubt,”
he asserted.
As the Stormers prepare to face a battle-hardened Toulon, the stakes couldn't be higher, and Dobson’s chess moves with his lineup will soon prove either a masterstroke or a misstep. Regardless, Saturday’s game is set to be a thriller.
2,100 posts
In a bold move that has ruffled feathers and sparked debate, Stormers coach John Dobson has made it clear that the exclusion of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and JD Schickerling from the starting lineup for the upcoming Investec Champions Cup clash against Toulon is purely strategic. This weekend’s game at Stade Mayol promises high stakes and high drama, with Dobson rolling the dice on his team composition.
Dobson’s choice to start Jurie Matthee at flyhalf while keeping Schickerling and Feinberg-Mngomezulu benched is part of a larger scheme aimed at unleashing fresh energy in the crucial stages of the game. “
“We thought guys like JD and Sacha could make a helluva difference coming on. We just have to be careful with their load,”
Dobson explained, dismissing any rumors of form-related demotions.The strategy extends beyond mere player rotation; it’s about cultivating depth within the squad. “We also wanted to build a bit of capacity by giving Connor [Evans] and Jurie some rugby, so it was about building depth but also thinking how we want to finish this game,” Dobson elaborated, underscoring the tactical nuances of managing player fatigue and readiness.
Opting to keep the broader squad details under wraps, Dobson aims to maintain a competitive edge by limiting the intelligence available to Toulon – a tactic that seems to be gaining traction among top teams. “Everyone seems to have stopped doing it. I know the Bulls did it this week, but it’s really died out. It just seems like an unnecessary way of giving the opposition information,” he noted, emphasizing the benefits of strategic ambiguity.
Despite Toulon’s recent rough patch in the Top 14, Dobson is bracing for a tough encounter. The French side, plagued by injuries but bolstered by the likes of Charles Ollivon, remains a formidable opponent. Dobson is aware of the underdog narrative but remains confident. “
“This is Toulon’s road to redemption... We’ve got no illusions about what people think the outcome’s going to be, but we’ll be giving them a pleasant surprise tomorrow – I have no doubt,”
he asserted.As the Stormers prepare to face a battle-hardened Toulon, the stakes couldn't be higher, and Dobson’s chess moves with his lineup will soon prove either a masterstroke or a misstep. Regardless, Saturday’s game is set to be a thriller.
TEAM: Stormers bench Sacha, Reinach returns.
TEAM: Saffa leads Toulon into Stormers showdown.