John Dobson has acknowledged the Stormers’ challenge during a “tricky period” without several Bok stars, but insists their club commitment for the playoffs is unquestioned.
The Stormers have banked on the returning Siya Kolisi, Cheslin Kolbe and Wilco Louw to boost the Capetonians’ URC and Investec Champions Cup campaigns.
They are among 15 Springboks in a 56-man squad for the 2026-27 season, which kicks off for the Stormers with a URC clash against Connacht in Galway next Friday, followed by Edinburgh a week later.
Kolbe (broken jaw) is sidelined while Kolisi, Louw, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse, Paul de Villiers, Deon Fourie, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Zachary Porthen and Cobus Reinach are part of Rassie Erasmus’ plans to face the Wallabies in Perth next Sunday.
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“We’ve got our players always around the playoff times,” Dobson told reporters.
“It’s this period that’s challenging – around post what is traditionally the Rugby Championship, and post what is this year the Nations Championship but normally with the end of the November tour.
“This right now is tricky for us in terms of their availability.”
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Seasoned campaigners like Kolisi and Deon Fourie, along with youngsters Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Paul de Villiers, will need to be managed.
“If I was a player and I hadn’t been to a World Cup before, and I’m playing for the Stormers but I’m in the Springbok mix, the last thing I want to do is get injured,” said Dobson, who noted the Stormers’ improved depth for the team’s overseas trip.
“We have to make sure our guys are fully invested in our campaign, which they will be.
“When you talk about the Springboks, a guy like Paul is going to be thoroughly invested; Deon is going to be thoroughly invested; Siya is already thoroughly invested.
“I’m not worried about that, I think they’ll all be available. I think the Springboks have communicated clearly to us about the rest period in the Six Nations window.
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“Our difference between our A and B teams is better than it was,” he added. “We don’t want to go through another Harlequins experience where we send a team on the plane that takes 58 points.
“That’s where our growth is: we have to learn to be really good without the Springboks, and hopefully this tour coming up now is a time when we can show that we can.
“Sacha … he’s just come off four massive 80-minute games so that’s going to require some management, but I don’t doubt his investment or that he’ll be there at the sharp end.”
Photo: @THESTORMERS/X
The post Dobbo doesn’t doubt Siya’s investment appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
John Dobson has acknowledged the Stormers’ challenge during a “tricky period” without several Bok stars, but insists their club commitment for the playoffs is unquestioned.
The post Dobbo doesn’t doubt Siya’s investment appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
