Stormers coach John Dobson says they are not overly worried about the inevitable moment they concede their first points of the 2020 season. DYLAN JACK reports.

Much has been made about the Stormers’ defensive record after the men from the Cape did not concede a single point in their opening two wins against the Hurricanes and Vodacom Bulls.

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It should be noted that in both wins, the Stormers’ opponents opted to turn down kickable penalties in pursuit of tries, but then again they did have to defend their line.

The inevitable may come this weekend as the Stormers head up to Johannesburg to take on the Lions at Ellis Park, a ground well known for hosting some spectacularly high-scoring encounters.

Dobson said he is more concerned about how many tries the Stormers concede rather than if they do happen to concede points, something which is usually a given in Super Rugby matches.

‘We have spoken about it. There is going to be a woo, woo, woo about the first team that scores against us. Of course it is going to happen.

‘People would say that [Bulls flyhalf] Morne Steyn turned down about 36 points in kicks against us. But don’t forget that every single one of those kicks went to the corner where we had to defend. We had no problem with them going for poles, it means much less defensive work.

‘So, I am interested in the tries column. I accept that they are going to kick penalties. Ellis Park just by nature – you know yourselves from All Blacks games years ago. If it is 44-40 there, it is 12-3 at Newlands.

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‘So it is going to happen and we accept that. But we have got a certain standard. And I am only interested in the tries column. It is going to happen and we know it is going to happen, but we have to maintain that standard.

‘If you go to Ellis Park and only concede one or two tries, you have won the game.’

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