Stormers coach Dobson counts on Springboks to inspire young squad

Stormers coach John Dobson is happy to call upon a few World Cup-winning Springboks ahead of the new Super Rugby season, and believes their experience will be valuable.

The Cape Town-based franchise embark on their first campaign under the former Western Province hooker, which also happens to be their last at Newlands.

Stormers bank on international experience ahead of new Super Rugby season

He has at his disposal Bok skipper Siya Kolisi, who leads a team consisting of five other members of the team that conquered Japan in November.

Speaking to the media earlier in the week, Dobson said a few things are in the Stormers favour this season.

“The fact that it is our last season at Newlands, which means a surprisingly large amount to the players,” Dobson said.

“The draw, playing so many home games at the start (the Stormers play four of their first five matches at Newlands and seven of their first 10 at home).

“And, of course, the influence of the Springboks.”

John Dobson

Along with the World Cup-winning Boks, the Stormers have a couple more players who donned the green and gold in the last year in Siyabonga Ntubeni and Dyllin Leyds, and have also recruited former Welsh international Jamie Roberts, who toured South Africa with the British and Irish Lions in 2009.

“All our Springboks are available and we have a British and Irish Lion. We are going full strength and we will use all the international experience we have got,” Dobson added.

John Dobson

The Stormers had mixed fortunes in their warm-up games beating the Sharks in Soweto before being stunned by the Southern Kings.

They begin their campaign hosting the Hurricanes at Newlands on Saturday. Kick-off is at 15:05 (SAST).

Stormers Super Rugby squad for 2020

Juarno Augustus, Kwenzo Blose, Jaco Coetzee, Paul de Wet, Dan du Plessis, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Johan du Toit, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Ben-Jason Dixon, Schalk Erasmus, Neethling Fouche, Michal Hazner, Lyle Hendricks, Herschel Jantjies, Dan Jooste, Steven Kitshoff, Siya Kolisi (captain), David Kriel, Dillyn Leyds, Wilco Louw, Leon Lyons, Golden Masimla, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, David Meihuizen, Salmaan Moerat, Matt Moore, Ruhan Nel, Scarra Ntubeni, Sergeal Petersen, Rikus Pretorius, Jamie Roberts, Sazi Sandi, JD Schickerling, Seabelo Senatla, Chad Solomon, Edwill van der Merwe, Ernst van Rhyn, Abner van Reenen, Chris van Zyl, Ali Vermaak, Cobus Wiese, Damian Willemse, Nama Xaba, Leolin Zas.