Stormers coach John Dobson admitted to being emotionally drained after a controversial late call denied his side a potential match-winning try against the Sharks in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship at Kings Park Stadium on Saturday.

Manie Libbok appeared to have scored a decisive try in the final minutes, but the TMO intervened, ruling that he had knocked the ball forward during the ruck build-up. The incident brought to mind the controversial moment in the 2023 Rugby World Cup final when Ardie Savea’s try for New Zealand was disallowed due to a similar infringement against the Springboks.

The Sharks, who had dominated the first half with tries from Ethan Hooker and Siya Kolisi, ultimately secured a 21-15 victory.

“It was probably the difference in the end,” said Dobson, whose side had previously won six consecutive matches against the Sharks. “It makes me emotional. When Manie went over, we thought this is what we were fighting for, and that’s what we pride ourselves on as the Stormers. But we have to go back and look for something, but you can’t describe the emotions. Listen, I don’t want to sound arrogant, but we deserved to win this game, and you have to take your chances. Looking back, we’re probably unlucky to have lost this game.”

The Stormers were already missing key players like Deon Fourie, Damian Willemse, and Steven Kitshoff due to injuries. The loss of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, who was forced off the field after a head injury sustained in a collision with Trevor Nyakane, further disrupted their game plan.

“It was a helluva blow,” Dobson admitted. “We prepped all those players for three weeks. So, it was a blow, and also, because we went with a 6/2 split, and once you lose that, that’s why in the last 10, 12 minutes we had Herschel Jantjies on the wing. But Sacha’s substitute was a big disruption for us. I think he’s concussed.”

The Stormers will now turn their attention to the Investec Cup, where they will face French side Toulon at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium next weekend.