'No excuses' for Dobson's Stormers in push for historic double

DHL Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson (left) with former team manager Chippie Solomon. Inpho Photography

The DHL Stormers are looking to complete a historic double as they head into the final lap of the URC campaign.

To start with, they are aiming to finish top of the table for the first time since they joined the multi-nation competition back in 2021.

They are also hoping to set a new league record for regular season home attendances, surpassing the tally set by Leinster Rugby last year.

Having finished second in the league in 2021/22, when they marked their inaugural campaign by lifting the trophy via the play-offs, the Stormers have since placed third, fifth and fifth.

Now they want to sit on top of the log. With four rounds of matches left to play, they are lying second, four points behind leaders Glasgow Warriors.

But, crucially, they host Glasgow in Cape Town next week, so their destiny is in their own hands.

First up, they entertain play-off hopefuls Connacht Rugby on Saturday afternoon, while they will conclude the regular season in May with trips to Ulster Rugby and Cardiff Rugby.

Having bowed out of the Investec Champions Cup with a painfully narrow quarter-final defeat away to Toulon, the Stormers now have a laser focus on the league.

They stayed out in France for a couple of days after their 28-27 last eight loss to regroup ahead of the URC run-in. “We had a great review of the game and we could see faults,” said Director of Rugby John Dobson. “We would have loved to have won at one of the cathedrals of rugby but we were maybe not quite good enough in some areas. We had something to get our teeth into rather than just being the victims.

“The players were irritated by the loss but their confidence wasn’t shattered. In some ways, it was enhancing. It was still a very good performance. What we could sketch to them was the cloud having a silver lining in that if we win three out of the four in the BKT URC, we should probably finish first, with one of the three being against Glasgow as that would be an eight point or a 10 point swing on the log.

“The opportunity is entirely within our hands. There are no excuses, there’s no poor draw, we don’t have to worry about Europe. So it’s really an opportunity we have to take, starting at home to Connacht, which is a hell of an important game. It's crucial in the context of the season. It’s a massive game for us.

“It's a desperate Connacht team and desperate teams are sometimes very dangerous. They really are a serious team who've been on a bit of a winning run. It's not just a 'gimme' home game. They’ve put us under pressure before, so we are definitely not taking it lightly. They are a very, very good team with a really good attack. It's going to be a hell of a game.”

As for the potential benefits of finishing top of the table, Dobson said: “If you did get there and dream, then Glasgow and Leinster would probably have to play each other in a semi-final which is a massive game and takes out a serious member of the opposition. Then the winners of that game would have to come over to Cape Town for the final.

“It’s about us taking the opportunity. We have been able to get that message across. This group is tighter than it’s been before and we are getting players back. It’s a nice feeling.”

Then there’s the attendance record to aim for. That is currently held by champions Leinster who attracted 241 393 fans to their regular season home games last term. Having played seven of their nine Cape Town fixtures, the Stormers are on 197 737.

So, if around 45 000 fans turn up across their remaining home games against Connacht and Glasgow, they will set a new best. They will also surpass their own previous top tally of 226 467 from last season. Dobson said: “We have got a chance of breaking the record URC attendance, so I would just appeal to people to come and support us, enjoy a great Stormers performance and make Cape Town smile.”

The game against Connacht will also be an opportunity to deliver a fitting tribute to long serving team manager Chippie Solomon who passed away suddenly last week.

SATURDAY

DHL Stormers v Connacht Rugby

DHL Stadium, Cape Town – KO 12.45pm IRE & UK/1.45pm ITA & SA

Referee: Federico Vedovelli (FIR, 21st league game)

AR 1: Hanru van Rooyen (SARU) AR 2: Sean Muller (SARU)

TMO: Fillipo Russo (FIR)

Live on: SuperSport, TG4, Premier Sports, Flo Rugby & URC.tv