By Adnaan Mohamed
The DHL Stormers may have crossed the whitewash six times, but Director of Rugby John Dobson insists the performance that dismantled a youthful Stade Rochelais outfit would be stopped cold by South African rivals if repeated in the coming weeks.
The 42–21 Investec Champions Cup win at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, the Capetonians’ eighth straight victory in all competitions, lifted them to the top of Pool Three, ahead of four-time champions Leinster. Yet beneath the glossy scoreline, Dobson saw cracks that could be ruthlessly exposed in the Vodacom URC derbies that loom next.
The Stormers flew out of the blocks. Wings Dylan Maart and Leolin Zas struck inside the opening seven minutes, the hosts surging ahead as if the contest might be over before it began. Instead, composure ebbed, forced passes crept in, and an understrength La Rochelle, stacked with academy talent, were invited back into the arm-wrestle.
“I thought we were so energised at the start and so good, and it just felt like we got seduced into it being too easy,” said Dobson.
“To produce the intensity that we started that game with was really good for us. However, it was a learning experience, and we had to manage that game better at the 15-to-20-minute mark.”
That window proved pivotal. Infringements and errors disrupted Stormers rhythm, allowing La Rochelle to find a foothold and trail just 16–7 at the break – a reminder that scoreboard pressure means little without territorial and tactical control.
“It was about the outcome in the end, but it wasn’t a great process from us,” Dobson admitted.
“There’s definitely stuff we didn’t get right that we spoke about during the week, and there’s work to do before the local derbies [in the Vodacom URC]. That said, a home win in this competition is non-negotiable.”
Captain Salmaan Moerat echoed the coach’s concerns, praising the intent but demanding more from the engine room.
“But as a pack we know we could have been much better. There’s still a lot for us to improve on,” Moerat said.
He also highlighted the side’s response after prop Neethling Fouché was yellow-carded for a high tackle.
“It’s never ideal to get a yellow card,” he said. “But what was really rewarding was seeing how the group galvanised and worked harder for each other when someone was off the field.”
If the Stormers’ structure wavered, individual brilliance helped steady the ship. Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Springbok scrumhalf Cobus Reinach pulled the strings, while Man of the Match Paul de Villiers hunted turnovers like a seasoned openside despite his tender years.
“It took some moments from Paul or Sacha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] to bail us out. That was a little bit frustrating that we got ourselves in that position,” Dobson explained.
“Two years ago, we were just getting cleaned out [at the breakdowns], and now we have Paul, who is like a limpet and his decision-making is so good.
“He is very special.”
Dobson believes the result keeps the Stormers firmly in the European hunt, even as he demands sharper execution.
“We want to be part of this tournament,” he said. “South African teams don’t have a great record in it, and we feel we’ve got an opportunity.
“Performances like this give us belief, but we also know we have to be better. I think we can start to dream about getting deeper into this tournament than we have got before.”
The immediate focus, however, shifts to domestic danger. The Lions arrive in Cape Town next weekend, followed by a clash with the Bulls on January 3 – fixtures where sloppiness will be punished.
“We have to get the stuff right and it is no use just talking about it in the week,” Dobson warned.
“We know that performance [in Gqeberha] doesn’t beat a fired-up Lions team in Cape Town or a Bulls team [on January 3].”
Dobson revealed the Stormers’ coaches have been studying the Lions closely, noting their threats across the park.
“We had a good look at them as coaches,” he said.
“We know that Henco [van Wyk] gets the best contact metres, we know about Quan’s [Horn] line breaks, and we know about their efficacy at the breakdown.
“They made their intentions clear that they want to rest and prepare for this game. I promise we won’t be lacking intensity.”
For the Stormers, the winning streak in Europe and Gqeberha has offered momentum, but the real examination now comes at home, where fast starts mean nothing without the patience to finish the job.
Featured Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
