VIDEO: Dobson's plan for his 'tricky' selection poser
Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson says they are ‘still learning’ about juggling their resources between two major European competitions – the United Rugby Championship and the Champions Cup.
However, his challenge ahead of the 2024-25 season has been complicated by the addition of some ‘new’ Springboks – like Ben-Jason Dixon and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
The latter has left Dobson with a particularly unique challenge – three international playmakers.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu has moved past Manie Libbok in the Springbok pecking order in his debut season, but Damian Willemse’s return from finger surgery is imminent.
Dobson described it as a ‘tricky’ selection poser with all three fitting into the flyhalf, inside centre and fullback positions.
(Article continues below the Dopbson interview …)
“It is a great position to be in,” Dobson said, adding: “Sacha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] has made it clear he wants to be a No.10.
“Damian [Willemse] is different. He wants to play anywhere.
“Manie [Libbok] is an out-and-out No.10. I know he has played fullback before.”
Dobson said it will be ‘pure rotation’ between the three playmakers.
“We are blessed to have so much talent, but when the competition gets underway and Damian is available, he will start at No.10 until the other two come back from Springbok duty.
“Then [when Libbok and Feinberg-Mngomezulu return] we have a problem.
“One of them will have to sit on the bench.”
The Stormers, inaugural winners, start their URC campaign with a three-match road trip – Ospreys on September 28, Zebre on October 5 and Edinburgh on October 12.
Their Round One home match against the Bulls has been postponed by the South African Rugby Union till sometime in 2025.
The Stormers’ Springboks are unlikely to be available until the opening rounds of their European Cup campaign – Toulon in Port Elizabeth on December 7 or Harlequins at Twickenham Stoop on December 14.
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