Stormers coach John Dobson is adamant his team is not going to follow a box-kick type gameplan in this year’s Vodacom Super Rugby competition, writes ANDRE HUISAMEN.

Speaking in an exclusive interview ahead of the Cape Town side’s opening-round match-up with the Hurricanes on Saturday, Dobson made it clear that they want to adopt a measured attacking approach to give Newlands Stadium a proper send-off this year.

‘We can’t play this Faf de Klerk box-kick stuff. We will empty Newlands,’ Dobson wryly commented.

The Stormers boast seven World Cup-winning Springboks in their armory and expectations are high for their quality forward pack to deliver in this year’s campaign.

‘We have an incredible pack and depth in the forwards. We have to use the pack and their momentum to create space f0r the steppers and for them to play into that space.’

The Stormers have some real speed and quality in their backline with players like Herschel Jantjies, Damian Willemse, Seabelo Senatla, Sergeal Petersen and Dillyn Leyds all very dangerous in open play.

Dobson delights as Stormers coach

Dobson admits, though, that the Cape franchise should relish the expectation that has been placed on them to succeed.

‘We have underachieved on the talent we have. We have to make use of those forwards. Other than the well-known Springboks there are some really good players,’ said Dobson, singling out players such as JD Schickerling, Salmaan Moerat and Juarno Augustus.

Wales great Jamie Roberts’ arrival has also excited the coach and he believes the Stormers are in a fortunate position to have signed the 93-Test veteran after Roberts received interest from Canterbury in New Zealand as well.

‘He is probably the biggest centre I’ve ever seen. He played really well for Bath this year and he is a bright, engaging guy. But the fact that he wanted to experience life [in Cape Town] shows that there is more to him,’ Dobson said.

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