An emotional John Dobson gave his word that the DHL Stormers will put up a massive fight to defend their title after booking their place in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship final.
The Stormers battled to a 43-25 victory over a Connacht side that went down swinging in front of a record crowd at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
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It was not always comfortable for the hosts, as the Irish side saw plenty of the ball and cut the deficit to just four points in the second half.
However, speaking after the game, Dobson said he never doubted the Stormers’ composure as they progressed to the final for a second time in succession.
“These Irish teams are high possession teams and it is hard to get the ball off them. We knew they would go through phases,” said Dobson.
“They couldn’t kick distance against us, you saw that when we scored tries. They couldn’t really kick. We wanted to dominate far more territorially. I think we were a bit loose with the ball as well.
“Even though we were only four points ahead with 15 to go, but I didn’t think we were going to lose it. We knew we would have to make eight tackle sets. We did that, it was just frustrating to give away those penalties.”
The Stormers will now play in back-to-back finals and Dobson promised that no matter who their opponent was, the defending champions would give their all to keep their hands on the title.
“It’s a little bit emotional, to be honest. Our big fear, like I have said, was to prove that we belong and that it wasn’t a fluke. If you said we were going to the final this season…
“We lost a few players. We gathered more Springboks – Evan [Roos] and Deon [Fourie], Marvin [Orie] became a Springbok again – so it’s an incredible feeling for us.
“The only reason we want to play the final in Cape Town is for the people and the revenue. I think us going to the Aviva would be a great experience for this group. We will put up a good performance there. It’s emotional, in a nice way.
“We want to do something very special in two week’s time. Whether it is here or there. I promise if we go to the Aviva, we will not roll over. It will be a proper game of rugby.”
As a further boost to the Stormers, Dobson confirmed that both Fourie and Orie would be fit for the final, after the veteran forward duo was ruled out of the semi-finals through injury.
“We didn’t take a gamble, it was the right thing for the players and the team. They medically weren’t ruled out, but we thought it was best that we could get through it without them, which we did.
“Look, our lineout struggled today. I think we were at 50%, when we were at 100% against the Bulls. The wind wasn’t the easiest and Ruben [van Heerden] is new to No 5 in a URC semi-final. What we lacked in lineout skills, we made up for in physicality on defence. I don’t know how many tackles BJ and Ruben put in, but it was a lot.
“They are also a hard team to get steals against, so it worked out that Willie would just disrupt them. He did a reasonably good job, so I am pleased. The good news is that both are available for the final.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images