A change in the weather as written off Stormers thunder up URC standings

Stormers coach John Dobson can be forgiven for turning to a mild bout of sarcasm after his team powered to a fifth straight United Rugby Championship (URC) win to remain top of the South African conference on Saturday.

His team downed the Bulls 19-17 in a nervy and tense clash at the Cape Town Stadium.

Though the winning margin was only two points, his team had kept the Bulls at arm’s length for most of the match to complete a home and away double over their traditional foes.

The Stormers may have started the competition a troubled franchise but they have improved steadily with the team delivering consistent performances, especially at their new base.

“I’m pleased with where we are standing and that for a team that was written off and not highly thought of by our opposition. ‘Poorly coached and a poor group of players’,” said Dobson about the jabs that came his way earlier in the campaign.

Though his Bulls counterpart Jake White was seduced by the bling that comes with conference honours, Dobson has other priorities. “Winning the shield isn’t that critical but finishing in the top seven is because of Champions Cup rugby next year. I think it is a realistic goal given where we are now.”

That, of course, would bring significant financial rewards for a franchise that has struggled to balance the books.

He was outstanding. He does a lot of work, there’s his physicality and he has a powerful story. I’m pleased. He covers a lot of ground.

—  Stormers coach John Dobson on Hacjivah Dayimani

With his team one point clear of the Sharks who secured a bonus point win over the Lions, Dobson will be well aware they cannot afford a slip-up. They and the Sharks are yet to face competition pacesetters Leinster.

Still, Dobson has reason to crow, especially after getting one over the old foe.

“To beat the Bulls home and away for a team as well-drilled as they are is a great achievement,” said Dobson.

Though the game was no spectacle, it was played with near Test match intensity. The win was secured on the back of a huge physical performance from the Stormers’ forwards and, while both teams took lumps out of each other upfront, the hosts had game-breakers that helped give them the edge.

Flank Hacjivah Dayimani delivered graft and glitz in equal measure.

“He was outstanding,” said Dobson. “He does a lot of work, there’s his physicality and he has a powerful story.

“I’m pleased. He covers a lot of ground. I have no qualms about what he did,” said Dobson in relation to the yellow card the flank copped late in the game for a high tackle on Kurt-Lee Arendse.

It wasn’t only Dayimani who caught the coach’s eye. Fullback Damian Willemse and Manie Libbok kept posing uncomfortable questions of the Bulls.

“We’ve seen how good he is at 12 but with Warrick [Gelant] out he had to play 15,” said Dobson of Willemse, who also helped himself to a crucial drop goal.

“He was outstanding. We don’t train drop goals, so when the ball went back to Damian I said in the coaches’ box ‘oh no’. When he kicked it he knew and he put his hand up.”

Libbok wasn’t afforded that much space but he still operated with composure.

“What I liked about him was he had an air of authority about him. I thought he was spot on. It was a really mature performance,” said the coach.