John Dobson rues the loss of Springbok star Cheslin Kolbe for the Stormers’ start to next season as the Cape club survived Friday’s pre-season result in Paarl unscathed, reports DEVIN HERMANUS.
Kolbe has been ruled out for eight weeks with a broken jaw suffered against the All Blacks last week, meaning he will miss the Stormers’ opening five matches of the 2026-27 season.
The Capetonians begin their URC campaign in Galway against Connacht on Friday, 25 September, then travel to Edinburgh seven days later.
Speaking after Friday’s 38-26 defeat by the Bulls at Faure Street Stadium, Dobson revealed Boks, including Damian Willemse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Wilco Louw and Siya Kolisi, should be available for the Sharks clash on 10 October.
ICYMI: Kolbe shares injury update
“He’s [Kolbe] out for eight weeks. He would have played that whole October run, the four games. That was a hell of a blow,” the director of rugby said.
“When we get back from the tour, they’re [Boks] all available. Well, they’re available theoretically for the Edinburgh game but you’re not going to fly guys out, after what they’ve been through [against the Wallabies on 26 September].
“They’re all available for the Sharks.”
Dobson confirmed there will be no second warm-up before the Stormers head to Ireland, adding: “Can’t risk it in case we get an injury. We’re just too thin.
“The locks are a concern. The back three is a concern depth-wise until the Springboks come back.”
MORE: Bulls claim bragging rights in Paarl
The Stormers went into Friday’s match without several players Dobson considered important to their opening URC assignment.
“I’m super happy, given the amount of guys that we optionally pulled out of this game – 17 out of that 31 have never played a URC game.
“At the start of the second half, we were outstanding. But I knew by the end, once we’d mixed up the pack, we’d lose shape towards the end.
“I’m happy with where we are and no injuries. That’s the best thing about the game.”
The Stormers’ approach was more expansive than the one they will take to Connacht, according to Dobson.
“We’re not going to play like this against Connacht. We were pulling everything, tipping every ball. It’s going to be more direct,” he said.
“We wanted to put ourselves under pressure with our skills that we’ve been training in the pre-season. But we learned from the All Blacks experience – we can turn up and get organised.
ALSO: Kolbe key to unlocking ‘Stormers of old’
“What we can’t replace is if JD [Schickerling] and Adré [Smith] are out, or if Warrick [Gelant]’s out, or Seabelo [Senatla]’s out at the moment.
“We’re just going to have to coach around that.”
Dobson, though, was satisfied that the Stormers remained in with a chance in Paarl despite the number of players held back.
“I thought there was a chance given the lineups and the guys we realised we couldn’t be without for Connacht … It could have gotten away from us.
“That we stayed competitive and didn’t get an injury makes it a really good outcome for us. I think it was a nice experience.”
Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
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