The Stormers move into the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup after a fantastic win against Harlequins at their fortress DHL Stadium in Cape Town and in doing so continued elevating themselves into club rugby’s elite tier.
It has been a fascinating journey for the Capetonians over the last 18 months, who went from almost not competing in the United Rugby Championship due to financial concerns to then go on and claim the title the very same season.
There was no stopping there as the side has kicked on and looks in a great place in the URC with only two regular-season games left before the play-offs.
Considering the additional fixtures of the Champions Cup and rigorous travel implications it quickly becomes clear that John Dobson’s men are some team.
Team culture
Dobson and his coaching staff have created an incredible culture at the club, one built on expression of self for the benefit of the collective. The whole idea of the ethos is to use individual intricacies as cogs in a machine whose goal is to put a smile on Cape Town’s face.
Most of the great sports teams in history share a couple of common threads; home dominance and connection with fans. This Stormers team has done that with a ridiculous 21 consecutive wins at home dating back to December 2021, meaning a lot of the team’s ‘Faithful’ fans have never seen them lose at DHL Stadium.
Everything good in sport comes from winning, and the Stormers drawing their biggest-ever crowd at their new stadium against Quins last weekend is certainly no coincidence.
Intent
Winning is not only the reason the Cape side’s popularity is shooting through the roof, it is the quality of attacking rugby they play.
It almost seems like every single game the Stormers score a worldie of a try whether it is Damian Willemse soaring through the air after a pinpoint crosskick or a coast-to-coast beauty where more than half the team have been directly involved.
Name a more eye-candy finish than this Damian Willemse one 😍🍭
🎥 – @SuperSportTV @Vodacom #URC | @TheStormers | #HeinekenCup #STOvHAR pic.twitter.com/snLpZFUCJ1
— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) April 4, 2023
Dobson summed up their approach beautifully after the win last weekend when he underlined that the side would not change their intent because it is knockout rugby.
“We spoke about it during the week. We are who we are, and how we play is actually perfect for this game, which needed massive defence and character. We also couldn’t say to Manie [Libbok] that he now has to play the territory because he is playing in a Champions Cup knockout game,” he said.
“That first try from Deon is exactly the kind of rugby that we want to play. It’s is underpinned by a massive work rate on defence. That’s how we want to be playing.”
More attractive destination
The benefits of being a winning side are starting to show elsewhere as the same side that experienced an exodus of Springbok proportions not so long ago, losing several superstars, is now a more attractive destination for players.
Second-row Ruben van Heerden joined the side recently from Exeter Chiefs and very quickly declared his love for the team and its environment.
“It really is a special environment. I used to hear about it when I was on the outside, but now that I’m actually here, I can feel it. We don’t have any egos in the team. Everyone works together and gets along. We have a good blend of older and younger guys. Everyone just buys into the management and coaching. Everything just gels,” Van Heerden said.
“In an environment like this, you can’t not flourish. Having coaches that back you the way that they do, that are upfront the way they are, you want to give your all for coaches like that. You want to go above and beyond the call of duty. A happy player is a good player and I am happy in the environment. All credit goes to the coaching staff. Keeping a squad of 50 players happy is a tough task, but they are doing it.”
A tricky challenge in the north
Now the Stormers face their next challenge, a quarter-final at Sandy Park against the 2020 European champions Exeter where their adaptability to the northern hemisphere will be tested.
Since joining the URC the South African sides have shown that playing in the wet, windy and cold conditions up north can prove challenging. All of the blemishes in the Stormers season have come from games in Wales and Ireland all in difficult conditions.
The question remains, can the Stormers do it in England in the quarter-finals?
The side certainly has momentum, and the fact that Exeter had to play extra-time in their round-of-16 clash with Montpellier certainly aids their cause as does the relatively tame weather forecast.
Ultimately, Dobson and his team deserve huge credit for everything to do with what is the most successful Stormers team in history and one that does not look like stopping. This is a team worth celebrating.
READ MORE: Champions Cup: Stormers and Sharks run into logistical issues en route to quarter-finals
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