Province fear Sharks' kicking game
Dobson has compared the current Sharks outfit to the one that lifted the Currie Cup trophy in 2013 under the guidance of Brendan Venter and Jake White.
"It's not the Sharks team of the Plum [John Plumtree] and Dick Muir era where they play what is in front of them," said Dobson.
"We know that they will come with a very big kicking game, and they are not miles away from the Sharks team that won the Currie Cup under Brendan Venter
."
Western Province have got a lethal, fleet-footed back three that would scare any team that deploys a kicking game.
The likes of Cheslin Kobe, Seabelo Senatla, Dillyn Leyds and Kobus van Wyk are not exactly what an opponent would want running back at them with space, but Dobson has noted that the Sharks kick-chase is just as effective as their kicking game.
"The Sharks have got a massive kicking game, they play no rugby in their own half. It's one phase in their own half and the ball gets kicked.
"They have got really good chase lines and if they kick on us so much we know that we may not be able to have a crack straight up because of their organised defence line.
"But if we can get through one or two phases then their will be some opportunities for us," explained the WP mentor.
Dobson noted that the Sharks also pose a threat with little chips and digs through, and Lionel Cronje is dangerous when he gets space and time.
"If [Andre] Esterhuizen gets momentum and Lionel [Cronje] can play with space and make those kicks we will be under pressure.
"So we will have to make a plan around that and stop Esterhuizen from getting momentum and stop their mauls.
Meanwhile, with the sub-par performance by flyhalf Demetri Catrakilis against the Free-State Cheetahs and the fact that he probably has one foot in France already, Western Province are exploring the option of giving Leyds game time in the pivot position to spice up their attack.
"We are looking at Dillyn as a back-up No.10, whether he is the back-up No.10 this week or in a couple of weeks we not sure.
"I think it would be tough to leave out Kurt [Coleman] and break his confidence, when Kurt is on song he is magic."
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