The Stormers host the Bristol Bears this Saturday at Cape Town Stadium for the opening round of the Investec Champions Cup. While the South African side enters the match following a recent win, leadership has expressed caution toward the English club’s physicality and, as coach John Dobson describes it, their British Bulldog
grit. The encounter marks the first time these two teams have faced one another in the competition.
Tactical Challenges for the Stormers
As the Stormers prepare for their first meeting with Bristol, coach John Dobson is wary of the visiting team’s evolution. Though the Stormers recently returned to winning ways in the United Rugby Championship, Dobson noted that the Bears have developed a more aggressive defensive identity compared to their previous iterations. Dobson, who previously coached alongside Pat Lam at the Barbarians, acknowledged that his counterpart will be eager to challenge the Stormers on their home turf.
“They’ve always been a deep attacking team, but I’m seeing more dog in their defence, a lot more competition at the breakdown, and a lot more direct in the 22 than maybe they were a while ago with the pick-and-goes.”
John Dobson, Stormers coach
Dobson specifically pointed to the Bristol maul as a significant concern, calling it the best in the Premiership at the moment.
He cautioned that the visitors are likely to keep the Stormers’ defensive unit busy throughout the match.
Bristol Bears’ Previous South African Success
The Stormers are not underestimating the visitors, who have already proven they can secure results on South African soil. Dobson highlighted the Bears’ 61-49 victory over the Bulls at Loftus last term as evidence of their capability. Reflecting on his team’s history against English opposition, the coach noted that only once, a match against the Sale Sharks two years ago, did his side manage to put 40-odd on an English team.
“They came here and won at Loftus, which is not an easy place to go.”
John Dobson, Stormers coach
Currently sitting sixth in the Premiership with two wins and one loss, the Bears are expected to play with an expansive style. Dobson characterized the upcoming contest as unpredictable, likening it to Any Given Sunday stuff.
Ruhan Nel on Defensive Discipline
Stormers skipper Ruhan Nel emphasized that his team must avoid the temptation to force plays against an opponent known for stretching the field.
“They’ve got a real attacking mentality. They stretch the passes, they’ll force an offload here and there,”
Ruhan Nel, Stormers skipper
Nel added that it is about staying patient within the system and letting the system bail you out instead of making individual massive plays.
Nel noted that the Bears thrive on creating one-on-one situations, making the Stormers’ collective discipline a priority for Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup opener. The team is aiming to maintain composure while managing the physical intensity that the visitors are expected to bring to Cape Town Stadium.