John Dobson and Steven Kitshoff have hailed the DHL Stormers’ entertaining win over the Lions on New Year’s Eve, yet a “tough January” schedule has tempered their celebrations.
Leading 19-3 at half time, the URC champions signed off 2022 unbeaten at Cape Town Stadium after they ran in six tries in a 40-8 victory in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby on Saturday night.
Dobson spoke highly of the Stormers’ attack post-match, but was pragmatic about the challenges that lie ahead for the Capetonians, who will now refocus for a trip to Scotland to face the Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium next Sunday.
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“The guys scored some great tries … maybe once or twice we were a bit loose with the ball, but it’s New Year’s Eve and you’re in the lead and you want to entertain the crowd,” the Stormers coach told reporters.
“Our breakdown probably wasn’t the same standard from the last couple weeks but generally, it was a pretty good performance.
“I’m just pleased we scored some tries and built on those from last week [against the Vodacom Bulls] – it would’ve been horrible to come here and win 9-6 in a drudge.
“To be where we are… gone over a year [without defeat in Cape Town], these players are so resilient and keep coming; we can be accused of making mistakes or of getting things wrong, but never of not turning up or playing with pride and passion.”
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Dobson added: “In terms of the URC we’ve got Glasgow and Ulster away and if we want to get that home playoff we’re going to have to win one of those, and that’s tough. And in the Champions Cup, we’ve got London Irish away, and that’s tough.
“The Springboks like Steven won’t be playing at Ulster, which makes next weekend’s game hell of important.
“It’s going to be a tough January, but I’ll prefer the guys get a bit of a treat tonight and then pick things up again.”
Skipper Kitshoff said: “The last time we lost at home was against the Lions [in December 2021], so the way the team has grown and adapted to become a tight-knit unit was exceptional.
“Looking back on 2022, it’s been one of the better years in my rugby career.”
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But, already missing locks Salmaan Moerat, Gary Porter, Ernst van Rhyn and Adre Smith to injury, the Stormers are sweating the results of an HIA test for Marvin Orie, who took a blow to the head on Saturday.
“We’ve got really thin at lock and if we have any more issues there we might have to look at bolstering our resources,” Dobson said. “If Marvin were to fail his test it’ll be a challenge for us.”
The Stormers depart for Glasgow via Johannesburg, Doha and London on Monday evening.
Photo: @THESTORMERS/Twitter
