Imperious Stormers get Bok boost
The return to action of a Springbok and other star players is the big positive to come out of the Stormers’ pre-season outing this weekend.
Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson said he was ‘pretty happy’ with the build-up to their season opener against Leinster in a fortnight, despite the 17-26 loss to the Sharks in a pre-season outing at the weekend.
Utility back Luke Burger is an injury concern, but the rest of the team came through the George trip relatively unscathed.
“We learnt a lot,” the Stormers Director of Rugby said about facing a strong Sharks selection that featured Springboks Lukhanyo Am, Francois Venter, Jaden Hendrikse, Vincent Tshituka, Phepsi Buthelezi, Jason Jenkins, Ruan Dreyer and Edwill van der Merwe.
“It was exactly what we needed.
“In previous seasons, we would have played SWD and won by more. This was very useful.”
Dobson admitted that having a proper pre-season and giving some players much-needed game time was invaluable.
This includes Springbok Ben-Jason Dixon, flank Paul de Villiers and hooker Andre-Hugo Venter.
Building towards the season-opener against defending champions Leinster in Cape Town on Friday, September 26, they had a ‘fun weekend’ before the real work starts on Monday.
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A great pre-season work out and some incredible support at Outeniqua Park in George on Friday night. #inittogether pic.twitter.com/RCmtUyc4or
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) September 13, 2025
“With a full training week, from Monday top Thursday, we will make a lot more progress than we would have had with a match-day week build-up,” the coach said.
“The real growth and technical pieces will come together this week.
“It is the first time we have the entire squad together, fully integrating the Currie Cup players,”
Dobson described the performance of his ‘first-half team’ as imperious.
“The guys were undercooked,” he said, adding: “BJ [Dixon] hasn’t played since [his wrist surgery in] March and Paul [de Villiers] hasn’t played for a while.”
Flyhalf Jurie Matthee also continued the upward trajectory he showed in the Currie Cup, easing the team’s flyhalf concerns.
“Ruhan Nel was really good after a long injury,” he said of the former BlitzBok star who captained the first-half team in George.
“I am really happy with where we are, and this week’s training camp will put us in a perfect position.
“Whoever they [Leinster] bring, they are the defending champions, and we are at home in our first game.
“It is going to be special.”
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