Adnaan Mohamed
DHL Stormers coach John Dobson believes World Rugby should revisit the law governing held-up situations after his side were denied two tries during their 44-21 United Rugby Championship quarterfinal victory over Cardiff in Cape Town on Saturday.
While the Stormers progressed comfortably to the semifinals after scoring six tries, the result did little to ease Dobson’s frustration with a law he feels unfairly rewards the defending team.
The Stormers have been held up over the tryline more than any other side in the URC this season, with Dobson suggesting it may even have cost them a higher finish on the log and the possibility of hosting a semifinal or final.
Speaking after the match at DHL Stadium, Dobson described the current law as one of rugby’s biggest anomalies.
“It’s our season. It’s our season. It is,” he said when asked by Modern Athlete how the held-up and goal-line dropout law affected the Stormers thus far in the 2025/26 URC season.
“It’s the worst. It’s one law in rugby that has to change. I’m not saying because it’s against us. I don’t understand this concept. You do so well, and you’re rewarded with receiving the ball back on your ten-yard.
“The old law was much better. Give it a five-metre scrum. You’ve attacked well, five-metre scrum.”
Under current laws, a defending team receives a goal-line dropout when an attacker is held up in-goal. Previously, the attacking side was awarded a five-metre scrum.
Stormers captain Ruan Nel experienced the frustration first-hand after being denied near the line against Cardiff.
“It sucks, actually,” Nel said.
“The arms were pretty there. When I dotted the ball down, I just put it straight on his knees. So I actually felt him at the bottom of the ruck. Well done. Proper effort there. Obviously, it’s very disappointing.”
Nel admitted the missed opportunities were frustrating, though he viewed them as evidence that the Stormers’ attack is consistently creating scoring chances.
“It’s encouraging because you’re obviously getting to the right spaces.
“It’s disappointing, but obviously over the line, just get the flipping thing down. But it’s encouraging at the same time because we are breaking them down, we are getting the reward in terms of position there.”
The experienced back also noted how frequently the issue has affected the Stormers this season.
“It’s funny. I’ve never been a part of a season where we’ve been held up so many times.”
Dobson’s concerns will take on added significance this week as the Stormers prepare for a semifinal against Leinster in Dublin.
The Irish province underlined their title credentials by demolishing the Lions 59-10 in the quarterfinals, running in nine tries in a clinical display at the Aviva Stadium.
If the Stormers are to challenge Leinster on their home turf, they will need to make the most of every scoring opportunity. Against a side renowned for converting pressure into points, being held up over the line and conceding a goal-line dropout could prove a costly setback.
For Dobson, the issue extends beyond the Stormers’ campaign. It is a law he believes fails to adequately reward attacking enterprise, and one he hopes World Rugby will eventually reconsider.