John Dobson overhauls Stormers side ahead of final URC round-robin clash against Cardiff

The Stormers took a calculated risk with their team to face Cardiff on Friday to ensure all their players in contention for the playoffs will have sufficient rugby minutes under their belt when the knockouts take place.

John Dobson, director of rugby, made plenty of changes to his side for the final round-robin United Rugby Championship (URC) duel at the DHL Stadium (7pm kick-off). It will likely also be the Cape side’s final home game.

While Dobson admitted the changes could affect their momentum after some brilliant games in the previous couple of weeks, he added they’ve worked hard over the last week to create synergy within the extended squad.

This, he hopes, will be enough to fuel the side to a victory over a tricky and “desperate” Cardiff, who still harbours ambitions of making the playoffs. The Stormers are in fifth place and two points from the game will seal that position.

But, it could be a long wait until Saturday evening, when Leinster hosts Glasgow, to find out who they will face in the playoffs.

Nevertheless, Dobson wants a squad of 27 players to select from when it comes to the playoffs, and the Cardiff clash will give players on the outskirts the opportunity to play themselves into contention. Flyhalf Manie Libbok will also make his highly anticipated return in the starting team, while 21-year-old winger Suleiman Hartzenberg will play in his 50th Stormers game.

SA Rugby states that the camp will involve a series of boardroom sessions, but one would not be shocked if scrum guru Daan Human didn’t take the front-rowers out for a quick session.

The former Bok will be eagerly looking forward to the first training session with powerhouse props like Fouche, Vincent Koch, Wilco Louw, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Ox Nche, Ntlabakanye, Gerhard Steenekamp and Jan-Hendrik Wessels, all included, and that’s just the locally-based front-rowers!

Throw in Bath-based swing prop Thomas du Toit with hookers Bongi Mbonambi, Malcolm Marx, Van der Merwe and Wessels’ utility and the depth in the front-row really takes shape.