Dobson Praises Amazing Scrum Roster Despite Absence Of Springboks
Stormers head coach John Dobson heaped praise on his powerful pack and hailed the tremendous talent they have at their disposal following the Stormers’ impressive victory over Bayonne on Saturday.
The Cape Town-based side showed their ruthless dominance over Bayonne, which formed the backbone of their two most recent victories.
The past two wins for the Stormers – away against Munster 27-21 – and Bayonne this past weekend, were attained with the scrum fundamentally setting up victory due to their sheer power and technical ability.
After losing World Cup-winning veterans through retirement and injury, Dobson has highlighted the conveyor belt of talent that has come through.
“The dominant scrum is something we’re working really hard on. We have an amazing scrum roster. We always thought that when Steven Kitschoff stopped, and Frans Malherbe was injured, we wouldn’t have the same scrum culture. It’s fantastic.”
“There are some really good props who didn’t play. Malherbe is injured, Zach Porthen and (Oli) Kebble didn’t play, so we have a very strong scrum culture, and it bailed us out in these two games.”
The Stormers have had a flawless start to the season, going unbeaten in the URC with six wins from six – and now won their first game in the Investec Champions Cup.
This incredible run of form has seen the Cape Town outfit win five away games in a row in both competitions combined – and they are ready to return home full of confidence and to welcome their star performers back to the team.
“To win in Munster, knowing the players in Cape Town that are waiting to join us like Cobus Reinach, Sacha (Feinberg-Mngomezulu), Reuben Van Heerden, Damian Willemse, Sulaiman Hartzenberg makes us start to dream.”
“It’s early, but there is reason to be excited now.”
Many untried, untested players donned the famous jersey against Bayonne and came through the ordeal with their reputations enhanced.
Imad Khan won the man of the match award while Clinton Swart scored 16 points from his boot.
“If you had said at the start of the season that this team with Clinton Swart, Imad Khan, or Jonny Roche would beat Bayonne in Bayonne, we’d have said impossible. It’s very exciting for the project.”
The Stormers will play Stade Rochelais next on 13 December at their home away from home – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium – before returning to DHL Stadium to play the Lions in the URC on 20 December.
