In the midst of an unprecedented injury crisis, John Dobson backs the ‘future’ of the DHL Stormers under the guidance of Salmaan Moerat to beat Harlequins in the Investec Champions Cup.
Moerat returns from injury, bringing much-needed leadership and experience for the Stormers’ round 2 clash at Twickenham Stoop on Saturday. Last week, the Capetonians went down to Toulon in Gqeberha in their EPCR season opener.
Speaking during a team announcement conference on Friday Dobson emphasised Moerat’s influence, saying, “Salmaan has got an enormous presence; he’s captained South Africa twice this season. That’s an immense value to any team.”
The injury-hit Stormers have turned to young talent, with debutants Vernon Matongo, Corne Weilbach, Paul de Villiers, Jonathan Roche, and JC Mars in the match-day 23.
“It’s unusual for guys to make their debuts straight in the Champions Cup; it’s both part of the players we have available and our real desire to bring these youngsters through,” said Dobson.
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“They’ve trained a lot with us and deserve an opportunity.”
He also addressed the challenge for flyhalf Jurie Matthee, who faces England star Marcus Smith: “Jurie is a bit like Manie [Libbok]; he has the ability to keep calm and put things behind him. He’s a really cool customer.
“Marcus Smith was probably the form flyhalf during the [November Test] series, so it’s a whole team thing around that. We’ve got plans to contain him, but I don’t think that’s Jurie’s personal problem; he’s got another job in the way he drives us forward.”
Despite the Stormers’ injury woes, with 17 frontline players sidelined, Dobson remains upbeat. “It’s just an extraordinary situation. [Former CEO] Rob Wagner has been with this union since 1992 and he’s never seen something like this…
“But it’s a team that’s hungry, excited, talented – the future of the union.
“I’m aware of the situation we’re in – you can’t lose a Champions Cup home game like we did. But I’m also aware that we’re going to do something special tomorrow night.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
