Coach John Dobson says the Stormers have travelled to Limerick with real belief for Saturday’s top-of-the-table Vodacom URC clash against Munster.
Facing the Irish giants at Thomond Park remains one of the great challenges in European rugby, and Munster have welcomed back a full slate of Ireland internationals – a statement of intent.
AFRICA PICKS: URC Round 6 – Keo’s accumulator
“If you’ve got guys like Tadhg Beirne coming straight back in after the series he’s had, it shows how seriously they view this,” Dobson said on Friday.
“We know it’s a massive challenge. Thomond Park is one of the cathedrals of European rugby, and our record there isn’t great. But this is a very different Stormers team to three or four years ago.”
TEAM: Munster call in Ireland cavalry, start Saffa
Dobson confirmed that the Stormers opted against flying in any Springboks, sticking instead with the squad that trained together for the past three weeks.
“We felt strongly that we shouldn’t risk any of our Bok guys after the workload they’ve been through,” he said. “Their tour started with an out-of-window Test in Japan. We also wanted to stay loyal to the group that prepped so well in Cape Town. Jetting guys in this week wouldn’t have been right for us.”
Captain Salmaan Moerat, returning from injury, says the squad has built “something different this season”.
“The second I walked back into the environment, I could feel it,” Moerat said. “The boys have really bought into the plan. The prep over the last two weeks has been excellent, and everyone understands the magnitude of this challenge.”
MORE: It’s Ireland vs SA again – in the URC
Dobson highlighted the evolution of the squad’s cohesion and depth, pointing to returning forwards Neethling Fouche and Moerat as key.
“Having two big, physical Springbok leaders back is massive,” he said. “People asked how we’d survive without Steven Kitshoff, but the competition we’ve built in the front row has been unbelievable.”
TEAM: Griquas flyer set for Stormers debut
Dobson, meanwhile, praised new on-loan wing Dylan Maart, whose remarkable rise from factory worker to URC debutant has captured attention – including at Stormers training sessions.
“He’s trained unbelievably well,” Dobson said. “His aerial work, his toughness, his work-rate – we didn’t see all of that in the Currie Cup. He’s earned this start.”
Despite Munster being widely viewed as the Stormers’ “bogey side”, Dobson says the belief within the squad is real.
“This group is tight, focused and desperate,” he said. “We know we’ve improved. Now we get to see how far.”
Photo: Chris Fairweather/Gallo Images
The post Dobbo: This is a very different Stormers team appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Coach John Dobson says the Stormers have travelled to Limerick with real belief for Saturday’s top-of-the-table Vodacom URC clash against Munster.
The post Dobbo: This is a very different Stormers team appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
