Stormers coach John Dobson
Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
- The Stormers achieved their first-ever win at Thomond Park, overturning a 21-6 deficit to beat Munster 27-21 despite missing key Springboks.
- This win marks their fifth straight European away victory and solidifies their undefeated URC standing.
- Head coach John Dobson credited the team’s resilience, depth, and evolving squad strength as they aim for future European dominance.
- For more URC news, click HERE.
The Stormers, historically a team that has struggled on their travels in the United Rugby Championship (URC) era, have all but put that hoodoo to bed.
On Saturday night in Limerick, the Capetonians overturned a 21-6 deficit to emerge 27-21 winners after pulling off a comeback for the ages.
READ | Stormers land epic win in Limerick
Not only was it their first ever win at Thomond Park, but the Stormers have now won all of their last five matches away from home in European competition and sit top of the URC standings with six wins from six.
With their star Springboks like Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse and Cobus Reinach all unavailable this weekend due to their international commitments, the Stormers entered the Munster match as underdogs despite their form in the competition so far.
But, according to head coach John Dobson, this is a group that refuses to go away and that was on full display once more on Saturday.
“This team will always get off the canvas. That’s who we are,” Dobson said after the match.
“It’s a really tight group and that was a complete team effort.
“I think what gives us hope is the fight that this team has got and the quality of depth that we are building. Dylan Maart, for example, had never been overseas before, and here he comes and scores a try on debut.
“I could name a lot of guys who didn’t play today, not just the Springboks, and it feels like we are building something in terms of our squad size to allow us to compete properly. The project is growing shape.”
READ | URC Round 6: A week of upsets
One of the biggest struggles for South African franchises in the URC era has been having squads big enough – and good enough – to compete on both the URC and European Cup fronts, and the Stormers have identified ‘Project 2029’ in their efforts to be crowned champions of Europe.
Results like Saturday’s certainly help build a belief that they are on the right path.
Still, Dobson lamented his side’s efforts in the first half.
“I thought Munster were absolutely superb in the first half where everything went wrong for us,” said Dobson.
“They put us under pressure, especially physically where they stood up to us, which caused us some issues.
“We conceded three tries in that half, which is credit to them but was probably our worst defensive performance of the season so far against a good team.”
A tactical decision to bring on six forwards off the bench at once early in the second half proved pivotal.
“We always had the plan with the six forwards coming on at the same time. We had trained it at captain’s run and how the calling would work,” he added.
“It felt like rolling the dice a bit because we were in so much trouble, but they made a huge difference. It’s tough for the guys who started and they mustn’t think that they’re poor… it was the plan.”
The Stormers are next in action when they take on Bayonne in France in a Champions Cup clash on Friday.
