John Dobson has expressed his delight after the Stormers took control of the South African conference by defeating the Vodacom Bulls in Cape Town on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.
The Stormers claimed a 19-17 win over their northern rivals to go level with Irish giants Munster in fourth place on the Vodacom United Rugby Championship log. Dobson’s side is also one point ahead of the Sharks and four ahead of the Bulls in the South African Shield, with three games to play.
The win also meant that the Stormers have, in many ways, proven a point to their South African rivals, having now done the double over the back-to-back Currie Cup champions, while also staying unbeaten against the Sharks and winning away and losing at home to the Lions.
It most certainly is a far cry from the dread and despair the team found itself in after that heavy loss to the Lions in Cape Town last December.
“I am pleased with how we are standing, for a team that was largely written off,” Dobson said. “I don’t think we are highly thought of by our opposition … poorly coached and a poor group of players.
“What we want to do, which is a reasonable goal, is to qualify for Europe and be in the playoffs. Winning the Shield isn’t critical. What is critical is to be in the top seven and be sure of Champions Cup next year, which is a realistic goal given where we are now.
“To beat the Bulls home and away, a team as well-coached and well-drilled as they are for our little team, it’s a great achievement. As I said last week, to be in striking distance of the Bulls and Sharks is great.”
Dobson paid tribute to Hacjivah Dayimani, the loose forward having scored a crucial try towards the end of the first half in a Man-of-the-Match performance that was only slightly tarnished by his yellow card for a dangerous tackle in the last 10 minutes of the game.
“Hacjivah was outstanding. He does a lot of work with his physicality … I am pleased especially with what he brings on attack and the way he covers ground. I have no qualms about his yellow card.”
The URC will have a bye this week before the Stormers head into the final stretch with home games against Glasgow Warriors (22 April) and table-topping Leinster (30 April), before travelling to Wales to face the Scarlets (21 May).
“We are actually doing well, both athletically and physically. We could play next week, our injury roster is very good. But we have two really tough ones, both teams are above us on the log, Glasgow and Leinster here. So, it is probably a good thing.
“Glasgow aren’t involved in the Champions Cup, so they didn’t play today either. So, they have been prepping to face us. That’s going to be a tough game. If we get that, we should be home and hosed. We don’t want to go to Scarlets needing a win.
“This team has put a lot in emotionally, so from that point of view they may need a break.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
