John Dobson says the DHL Stormers are locked and loaded for one final push of the year in the Vodacom URC derby against the Sharks on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.
The Stormers will conclude a packed festive schedule when they host the first coastal derby of the season on Saturday night in Cape Town.
Having beaten Champions Cup title holders La Rochelle – after a second-string side pushed Leicester Tigers to the brink at Welford Road – and then stretching their winning run over the Vodacom Bulls to seven games, the Stormers have kickstarted their campaign following a winless four-week tour.
Following three successive physically demanding matches, Dobson welcomed the break provided by Christmas day falling on Monday, which allowed the Stormers to recuperate for their final match of the year.
“In a funny way, if you were designing a programme, Christmas day was perfect, because you actually got the guys off, which we wanted,” Dobson explained. “I am not sure what exactly was consumed, but it didn’t seem too bad.
“In terms of the aches and pains, it was a good circuit breaker and a nice distraction. So when the players arrived on Tuesday, they came in with a lot of energy so I think it worked well for us. If it wasn’t for Christmas day, we would’ve come in on a Monday and everyone would’ve been sore.”
15 points separate the Stormers from the Sharks on the Vodacom URC log, as John Plumtree’s side has won just two games this season.
However, with the Springbok-infused Sharks desperate to start making up ground on the table, and having two weeks to prepare for the derby, Dobson says the Stormers are taking nothing for granted.
“I have got no doubt the Sharks have focused on this game. It’s a helluva important game for them. You look at their team, at some stage they are going to click.
“We have to make sure that we create the pressure so that they can’t. It’s up to us to make sure they don’t click. They are a quality side, have lots of depth and a very good coaching staff. They are too good to be where they are.”
The win against the Bulls allowed the Stormers to close the gap on the Vodacom URC’s top four to just four points.
Before the festive run of fixtures started, Dobson said two out of three wins would have been satisfactory, but with the Stormers having now picked up some momentum, it has made winning on Saturday even more important for the hosts.
“This should make for a very good game, but we can’t give them the pressure,” Dobson said. “Our whole thing is trying to be better than we were against the Bulls. We are going to give the guys a week’s holiday after tomorrow.
“If we want to stay alive, this game is non-negotiable. The team has sensed that. They are ready to put everything in now, before enjoying the week off.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images