Concerns over injuries in the Stormers grow, but John Dobson remains optimistic ahead of the URC break

Despite a game full of mistakes, the Stormers team managed to secure five points by defeating Ulster 33:7 in the United Rugby Championship (URC) match held in Cape Town.

Goals and scoring moments

Although the result satisfied the team, issues with ball handling and careless play overshadowed the rare attacking moments the players managed to create. Thanks to dominance in scrums and mauls, the Stormers proved significantly stronger than their guests, even despite the large number of errors they committed.

This victory allows the team to remain among the top four in the tournament and maintain an unbeaten run at the DHL Stadium, but before the November break, they need to improve their play, especially in attack and ball handling.

Goals and scoring moments

Captain Rohan Nel scored the fourth try in the corner after a brilliant cross-field kick from flyhalf Yakin Ahmed. However, there was a fight for bonus points beforehand, as second-half errors almost repeated those from the first forty minutes.

In the first half, the Stormers occasionally displayed forgotten football. They passed the ball as if it were a hot potato; there were many handling errors from experienced players, and they failed to capitalize on the advantage provided by their physical play. Although the Cape Town team led 12:7 at halftime thanks to tries from forwards J. De Schikkenling and winger Paul de Villiers, the overall level of play was lower than expected.

The second half brought no significant changes. When eighth player Evan Russ crossed the line for a try after an unsuccessful Ulster kick-out, running over 70 meters, the number of errors continued to rise, and Ulster gained most of the possession. Nevertheless, the Stormers' defensive actions saved the team a couple of times, preventing several Ulster scores right at the goal line, while the home team kept a clean sheet in the second half.

Ahmed also became a scorer towards the end of the match, finishing a magnificent attack that began with a dominant scrum. He beat two defenders after winger Seabelo Senatla created problems for the defense with his side movement.

Currently, few teams can match the strength of the Stormers' physical elements, and this has been their salvation when everything else went wrong. Nevertheless, the Cape Town team will be concerned about Russ's injuries, who left the field limping, as well as the injury to winger Leolani Zasa, who was replaced after sustaining an injury.

Despite difficulties in completely dominating Ulster, the Stormers will take the win and prepare for the challenging December period in the URC and Champions Cup.

Who scored the points

The Stormers' score was 33 (12), including tries from J. De Schikkenling, Paul de Villiers, Evan Russ, Rohan Nel, and Yakin Ahmed. Ahmed made 4 conversions. Ulster's score was 7 (7), including a try by Dave McCann and a conversion by Jack Murphy.

The Stormers squad, which includes members of the Springbok national team, is forced to find a delicate balance between maintaining an undefeated home start in the United Rugby Championship (URC) season and the possibility of making an international debut in November.

The Cape Town team hosts Ulster at the DHL stadium on Saturday (match at 16:45), knowing that another victory will strengthen their position early in the season before the international break. They are currently in fourth place in the official URC table.

However, the upcoming Nations Cup matches against Italy, France, and Ireland add extra motivation for several young athletes who hope to attract the attention of Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus.

Stormers rugby director John Dobson admitted that managing the growing number of Springboks players is becoming an increasingly complex task. Nevertheless, he is pleased with the success of the franchise's player development program from Cape Town. Among the latest young players included in the Bok tour squad are centre Marcus Muller, halfback Yakin Ahmed, and versatile forward Riley Norton.

Dobson noted: 'We always strive to find the golden mean between having many Springboks players and, you know, I think we sit quite comfortably in the middle.' He continued that having many players away from home is not ideal for the club's campaign, but it is a consequence of the team's own success. 'We want to bring these young players up to level, give them the opportunity, and then they become Springboks. It's not a very comfortable number from a home situation management perspective here.'

He emphasized the importance of this process: 'Many players participate in tours, but at the same time, it is fantastic for our project. If you want to become a Springbok, come to the Stormers. They will give you opportunities, and this narrative is very important to us.'

Given the potential participation of the Springboks in the Nations Cup final on November 29th, Stormers may face serious difficulties before their next URC match against Sharks next Saturday. Dobson admitted that expecting players to celebrate a possible international triumph, return home, and immediately prepare for club duties is a big ask.

During the international break, Dobson and his coaching staff will develop contingency plans in case the team is missing several players for the derby in Kings Park. He stated: 'It will create some problems, especially if, God willing, the Springboks play in the Nations Cup final on November 29th. We play against Sharks next Saturday, and I don't think it's reasonable to expect too many Springboks to win this final, celebrate, return, train, and then play for us next Saturday. So right now, it's a lot for us.'

Dobson added that Stormers players aim to make an impression in the final confrontation, especially considering the fight for places in the next two Championship matches. He noted that Marcus is not playing this week, but the other young players want to impress and contend for selection in the match against Italy or in the tour. 'They won't do it by defending against Ulster.'

He also mentioned the difficulty of the situation for the athletes: 'It's not an easy situation for the players because as soon as you get out on the field, not wanting to get injured, you get injured. So it's a challenge.' Dobson reported hearing rumors of their inclusion earlier this week, but nothing was confirmed. 'I never expected this, but I think it is truly progressive for South African rugby.'

The immediate priority remains the match against Ulster. Since Stormers are keen to maintain their undefeated home record, their young players must first deliver results for their club before focusing on the prospect of playing in green and gold.

The Stormers have decided to take a risk by including Bongani Mbonambi in the squad, despite concerns regarding his physical condition. The Cape Town team is eager to get this player back on the field for the South African national team as soon as possible.

Mbonambi has been out of action for a long time and has not yet reached full match fitness. However, due to a shortage of ready-to-play players at the hooker position in the Stormers, his appearance as a substitute could provide timely reinforcement for John Dobson's team. Furthermore, this could help realize the ambitions of the 35-year-old player with the South African national team ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.

As the Stormers prepare for a four-week break in the URC, a delay in Mbonambi's return could mean he has to wait another month before playing again. After the international window, the team will head into important local derbies against the Sharks, Lions, and Bulls.

John Dobson noted that 'the main issue is that Bongani hasn't played for a long time.' He added that although he was unsure who played against the All Blacks at hooker for the Sharks, Mbonambi maintained good physical shape. 'We checked his skin folds and such, so he is in good shape, but he hasn't trained.'

Dobson emphasized that this is precisely why they wanted to bring him back as soon as possible. 'I mean, we could manage without him this week, but we are entering a three or four-week break. If Bongani doesn't play now, it will be another four or five weeks before he's on the field again.' He concluded that 'I don't think there is too much concern. Look, as a hooker, he needs to work in scrums and mauls, so I don't think he will lag in that area. But we need to get him on the field to accelerate that process.'

Mbonambi's return is particularly valuable due to the lack of hookers in the Stormers. Dobson admitted that the veteran's presence will strengthen their set-piece play, even if he is not yet ready for a full match. The coach is confident that Mbonambi's throws and scrummaging work will not be an issue, although adapting to the Stormers' signals in the out-line remains a task.

'Learning our signals is a small issue, but we won't conduct extra training to get him fit. He will participate in our mid-week training and captain's practices.' He also noted that if Vernon (Paulo, starting hooker) were to go down in the third minute on Saturday and Bongani was asked to play 77 minutes, it would be a physical test. Nevertheless, he would be fine for the set-piece. 'I think he raises the level of our team a bit. However, we cannot pretend he will play all night. At the moment, he won't be bombing the running game.'

Meanwhile, Sharks coach JP Petersen wished Mbonambi success at the Stormers, expressing hope that the hooker could return to the national team before the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia. Sharks and Mbonambi mutually agreed to terminate the contract last week, allowing him to join his former team. Previously, he was involved in a disciplinary dispute with the Durban-based team following an alleged breach of team rules.

Petersen stated: 'From our side, we want to wish Bongani all the best. I also sent him a WhatsApp message to wish him luck, both as a coach and a former player.' He added that Mbonambi is one of the best players and might be able to return to the South African national team and play good rugby. 'I hope everything works out for him, and perhaps we will see him again soon.'