Director of rugby John Dobson believes the Stormers are poised to do something “really special” this season.
Ahead of Saturday night’s Vodacom URC clash against Edinburgh at Cape Town Stadium, Dobson contrasted the team’s current position on the log with where they were last season.
“This time last year, exactly the same round, we were 15th,” Dobson said. “Now we’re second. That’s up to us to control, and it’s not easy, but it’s a great position to be in.
“We’ve got three home games and a chance to do something really special that’s within our hands. We’re not motivated by fear of missing out anymore or chasing the top eight, we’ve got a real opportunity.”
Dobson urged supporters to recognise the significance of the campaign.
“This is a lekker position for Stormers rugby to be in,” he said. “If people get behind us, come to the games and enjoy it, it’s going to be a hell of a ride over the next few weeks.”
Central to that push is the club’s growing depth, highlighted by the Stormers XXIII that beat the Sharks XV 21-10 in the SA Rugby U23 Cup at Kings Park on Friday.
Two tries in the second half from Mfundo Ndhlovu as DHL Stormers XXIII start their season with a 21-10 win in Durban. #XXIIIvSHA #inittogether pic.twitter.com/yh3hFxM7oz
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) March 27, 2026
“What’s happening with that group is massive for us,” Dobson said. “A year or two ago we didn’t have that, now we’ve got young players who are ready to go.
“Guys like Josh Pool, Markus Muller, JC Mars, Keke Morabe, Olly Reid, obviously Zach Porthen is there, Herman Lubbe and Lukhanyo Vokozela, those are guys we didn’t have a year or two ago. They are young but they they are ready to go, so that could help us through this period.”
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Dobson admitted managing the larger Stormers squad across competitions – including the looming trip to face Toulon in the last 16 of the Investec Champions Cup – requires careful planning and rotation.
“Immy Khan, for example, is our future, part of Project 2029,” he said. “We just feel that 65 minutes in Durban in a high-speed [SA Rugby U23 Cup] game probably tees him up better for Toulon than this week when we’re going to need to be pretty grim [against Edinburgh].
“Immy is a a high-speed, impact, game-change player at the moment.”
Dobson added that selections are increasingly influenced by both immediate needs and the bigger picture.
“You’ve got to think what’s best for the player and what’s best for the team over the next few weeks,” said Dobson. “We can’t just play the same team every week and expect to get through this block.”
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The coach acknowledged the challenge of balancing URC ambitions with their Champions Cup campaign.
“It’s going to be very hard,” he said. “If we get through Toulon, it becomes even tougher, but that’s where building squad depth becomes crucial.”
If the Stormers overcome Toulon at their Stade Mayol fortress, they will face either the URC log-leading Glasgow Warriors away or the Bulls in Cape Town.
After the Champions Cup last 16 and potential quarter-final, the Stormers have home URC games against Connacht and Glasgow Warriors, before travelling to face Ulster and Cardiff to complete their league-stage campaign.
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Despite the demanding schedule, Dobson believes the Stormers are far better equipped than a year or two ago.
“Back then we had a clear starting group and not much behind it. Now we’ve got players coming through who can step in.
“We’ve got a chance over the next six weeks to do something really cool. That’s what makes this exciting.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
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