Stormers determined to respond in home URC Quarter-final

The Stormers went down 22-16 to the Welsh side in their final league fixture, a result that cost them momentum heading into the playoffs and exposed areas the coaching staff believe must improve ahead of the knockout clash.

Despite the setback, Dobson insists the players are aligned as they aim to respond on home soil.

"The players had a lot of input. It was a disappointing defeat for us; we felt really poor afterwards. It didn't sit nicely. I loathe to use the 4G as an excuse. I said to the team today, 'At least this week we're not playing Roland Garros'," said Dobson. 

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'We're playing in a fantastic stadium with a fantastic crowd. But we know that there are three areas that we really, really need to get right without going into too much detail. I think the team is completely aligned and knows what we have to fix.'"

Dobson says earning the right to host a quarter-final remains a significant achievement in a competition as demanding as the URC, especially with the support the Stormers continue to receive at Cape Town Stadium.

The Cape side have built a strong record at home over the past few seasons and Dobson believes the energy from the supporters could once again play a major role in a high-pressure playoff encounter.

Dobson admits the Stormers were not clinical enough defensively in Cardiff and says improvements in the wider defensive channels, physicality in contact and tactical kicking have been key areas of focus during the week.

While questions have been raised about the impact of Cardiff’s artificial 4G surface in last week’s encounter, Dobson says the team has avoided using conditions as an excuse for the defeat in Wales.

The Stormers are also monitoring a growing injury list ahead of Saturday’s quarter-final. Springbok utility back Damian Willemse and winger Leolin Zas were both sent for scans after a heavy collision at training this week. Their availability for the playoff clash against Cardiff is expected to be confirmed closer to kickoff.