John Dobson has backed the Stormers’ growing tactical flexibility as a key asset heading into the business end of the Vodacom URC.
Speaking to the media on Monday, the director of rugby confirmed that Springbok fullback Damian Willemse’s recent deployment on the wing was a short-term solution – despite its success.
The 27-year-old’s aerial ability has boosted the Stormers’ contestable kicking game, but Dobson made it clear the Springbok playmaker’s long-term value lies closer to the action.
“He’s been incredibly effective on the wing, especially in the contestables,” Dobson said. “That’s an area where we’ve made massive progress. I think we’re No 1 in terms of regaining our own kicks.
“But we won’t keep him there forever,” he added. “We’ll see whether he’s got another week or two in him [at wing] depending on what we decide for this weekend [against Connacht].
“But he’ll move either to 15 or 12 over the next couple of weeks, if not this week.”
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The Stormers braintrust also sprung a surprise in their Investec Champions Cup last-16 clash against Toulon when they benched Springbok pivot Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and started Jurie Matthee.
“In hindsight, there was maybe a case for leaving Jurie on and dropping Sacha across to 12 [in the second half],” Dobson said.
“It [discussion] was definitely going on over the radios but I made the call to go the other way [and replace Matthee with Feinberg-Mngomezulu].
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“But that could be an option for us going forward in a big game, or off the bench, with Sacha moving to 12 or 15 and Jurie coming on. Or Jurie starting, with Sacha somewhere else and then moving as an option.
“That’s something we’ll consider going forward, whether it’s starting combinations or in-game changes.
“We’re more open to combinations now,” he added. “Sacha can play 12 or 15 as well, and that gives us options we maybe didn’t consider as much before.
“But longer term, Sacha’s the No 10, there’s no question.”
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Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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