Dobson backs rookie winger, team cohesion as Stormers target historic victory over Munster

A tight-knit, focused and desperate Stormers side will pitch up at Thomond Park in Limerick on Saturday looking to bag a first-ever victory over Munster in Ireland and to keep their unbeaten run in the United Rugby Championship (URC) going.

Following a good start to the new season, especially away from home, the Cape side will arguably face their biggest Test in the top-of-the-log clash at Thomond Park (7.30pm kick-off). Their hosts were strengthened by some experienced Irish internationals for the duel.

The Stormers, on the other hand, have opted to remain with their tried-and-tested combinations and decided not to fly in Springboks reinforcements.

Director of rugby John Dobson had the option to recall some internationals, but with the world champions facing Wales in Cardiff, and his side on a good run, he has opted against the disruption. The Stormers prepared for three weeks with this squad in Cape Town while the Boks were on tour, and they feel the players can do the job in Limerick.

Dobson surprised by handing a debut to on-loan Griquas speedster Dylan Maart, while up front tighthead Neethling Fouché makes a welcome return from injury. Captain Salmaan Moerat is also back in the starting lineup, adding some physicality and leadership in a critical match.

“It shows how important Munster is taking this game if you’ve got four guys who have played last week coming back,” Dobson said on Friday.

“I think Tadhg Beirne was amazing last week, and he has put his body on the line the entire Autumn series. Their rushing him back shows how seriously they are taking it.

“We had some conversations with SA Rugby and felt strongly that we did not want to risk any of our guys playing for the Springboks. We will rest them next week. We would’ve if they were available because they’ve been through a lot on this tour. It started with an out-of-window international against Japan.

“We wanted to stay loyal to the guys who have been preparing for the last two to three weeks in Cape Town. We’ve had a really good prep and wanted them to play. Jetting in guys wouldn’t be the way we want to go.”

Dobson said they are expecting a massive challenge at Thomond Park, adding that it is one of the cathedrals of European rugby. He highlighted his side’s record there and the fact that it isn’t great. However, he believes they are a very different team from the one that played there a couple of years ago at the start of the competition.

He is also excited for Maart’s debut, as well as having Moerat and Fouché back as leaders.

“The Currie Cup is a very different game to Thomond Park on a Saturday night against an unbeaten Munster. A lot (of his selection) has had to do with how he trained. He’s been so good in training.

“His aerial skills, his toughness, the reads he makes on defence. He has got the buy-in, trust and support of Warrick Gelant. If you have Warrick’s stamp of approval, then you are good to go. We knew Dylan had talent, but with some stuff, we didn’t realise because they are not used as much in the (Currie Cup) competition, like (his ability under) contestable kicks.

“He trained himself into this space.”

Stormers XV 

15 Warrick Gelant, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Ruhan Nel, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Jurie Matthee, 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Marcel Theunissen, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Connor Evans, 4 Salmaan Moerat (captain), 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Vernon Matongo.

Replacements: 16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Oli Kebble, 18 Sazi Sandi, 19 Adré Smith, 20 JD Schickerling, 21 Ruan Ackermann, 22 Dewaldt Duvenage, 23 Clinton Swart.