Despite the challenges, John Dobson is proud of the first call-ups and strong Stormers representation in the Bok squad for the second leg of the Nations Championship.
Lock Riley Norton, flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed and centre Markus Muller are three of the six uncapped players called up by Rassie Erasmus for the Boks’ last four Tests of 2026.
Ahmed and Muller represented SA A against Zimbabwe in July, while ex-Junior Springboks captain Norton played for the world champions against the Barbarians in their first match of the season.
The Stormers are the most represented team, with 12 players in the 37-man squad.
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Speaking during a Stormers team announcement for Saturday’s clash against Ulster in Cape Town, Dobson expected Norton’s call-up, while there had been rumours about Ahmed and Muller.
“We always want to find a fine line between having a lot of Springboks,” he said. “It would be quite nice to have them in the middle; it’s a consequence of our own success, because we want to bring these youngsters through and they get picked by the Springboks.
“But it’s fantastic for our project … So that narrative is super important.”
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The director of rugby applauded SA Rugby’s progressive approach to backing youth, although admitted it would be tricky to manage his squad in future.
“It’s going to present some challenges, especially when we’ve got, God willing, the Springboks playing in the final of the Nations Championship on 29 November. We’re playing in Durban the following Saturday.
“If you want to become a Springbok, come here. That’s brilliant. And I think it’s progressive for South African rugby.”
Seven players in the Stormers 23 this week are due to board a plane for Europe after Saturday’s round of URC fixtures. Dobson noted that experience has shown the injury risk for players.
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“I felt sorry for Deon Fourie last week. They want to stake a claim to play against Italy or be on the tour. They’re not going to do that by protecting themselves against Ulster.
“It’s not an easy situation for the players. As soon as you go into a game not wanting to get injured, that’s when you get injured.”
Salmaan Moerat, the 66th player to have led the Boks, has also been called up and is in line to make his first appearance in the green and gold this year.
Dobson is “thrilled” Moerat, who left the Stormers last season to join French outfit La Rochelle, and credited Erasmus and co for showing faith in the injury-plagued lock.
Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
The post ‘You want to be a Springbok, come here’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Despite the challenges, John Dobson is proud of the first call-ups and strong Stormers representation in the Bok squad for the second leg of the Nations Championship.
The post ‘You want to be a Springbok, come here’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
