Speedster Lleyton Davids, “fearless” Dylan Miller and wunderkinds Markus Muller and Olly Reid have helped put the Stormers in a good position, according to John Dobson.
The Stormers boss was speaking on Friday post-match at Paarl’s Faure Street Stadium, where the hosts lost 38-26 to the Bulls in a pre-season north-south derby.
Davids (25) scored the Stormers’ second of four tries, demonstrating his acceleration and pace that saw the Bolander go viral prior to his maiden outing.
Ice cold finish. pic.twitter.com/IJX5YFMwMU
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) September 11, 2026
“‘The Robertson Express’ showed something. He showed some glimpses,” Dobson said. “If Louw Nel had drawn the opposing defender in, he [Davids] scores another one.
‘I thought that pass behind Xola Nyali [in the first half] was brilliant. If Xola had stayed outside, we were over again.
“I thought he overachieved … that sounds like he’s redlining – he was better than I thought he was going to be. I think there’s something really there.”
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The lanky Davids’ fluid stride and athletic background has drawn comparisons to US Sevens icon Perry Baker, yet it’s his efforts under the high ball that caught Dobson’s eye.
“He’s very confident there. He’s a triple jumper. I’m quite excited about him.”
Fullback Miller, who had impressed for the Stormers XXIII in the Currie Cup, bagged a brace of tries as well as getting stuck in off the ball.
Soft hands but it goes hard. #inittogether pic.twitter.com/FoUa3zgdIt
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) September 11, 2026
“He’s so tough, he’s absolutely fearless,” Dobson said. “How was that tackle on [centre] Stravino Jacobs? I think he’s special.
“He didn’t make SA U20 [this year] but we think he’s going to be a star, mainly because he’s so fearless in his attitude. Ja, he’s not scared of anything, is he?”
Reid contributed to a penalty try against a formidable Bulls pack, while fellow Junior Springbok Muller – the youngest ever Stormer – worked tirelessly on defence and attack.
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“Olly’s a good player. I know [Gerhard] Steenekamp and Jan-Hendrik [Wessels] are with the Boks but to put that front row under pressure like that was excellent,” Dobson said.
“We’ve still got Wilco Louw, Zach Porthen, Ntuks [Ntuthuko Mchunu]; we’re in a good position.
“We expect a schoolboy star like Markus is going to be like Danie Gerber and run through everybody, but it’s different stuff – it’s decision-making, physicality, work rate … He’s extraordinary.”
Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
The post ‘The Robertson Express showed something’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Speedster Lleyton Davids, “fearless” Dylan Miller and wunderkinds Markus Muller and Olly Reid have helped put the Stormers in a good position, according to John Dobson.
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