How project ‘Make Cape Town Smile’ gives Stormers a massive edge at home
Split with Stormers fans and head coach John Dobson.
Stormers head coach John Dobson believes the mantra his team uses to ‘make Cape Town smile’ gives the side extra grit when playing at home.
The Capetonians claimed a narrow 16-15 win over the Sharks on Saturday, completing a fruitful period at home which also included victories against La Rochelle and the Bulls.
Home form has been central to the Stormers‘ success in recent seasons with an unbeaten run in Cape Town powering their title charge in the inaugural United Rugby Championship season whilst another pushed them to a home final in URC II.
Important connection
Dobson has been very vocal about the team connecting with their fans and making them proud, which is showing its worth with back-to-back crowds of 40,000-odd fans flocking into DHL Stadium this month.
“We started the project a couple of years ago to get Cape Town smiling, to get people in the gates,” Dobson said.
“As much as we didn’t win the game by much, just to realise the bigger picture, what the crowd looks like, and who that crowd represents and the sacrifices they made to be here. It’s incredible for us.
“That’s our big assignment. That’s the reason these guys don’t disappear in games.”
The sentiment was echoed by the skipper and fan favourite Deon Fourie, who was delighted his team could get the win for the Stormers ‘faithful’.
“We’re very fortunate,” Fourie said. “That was the goal two years ago when we started to make this an entertaining venue for everyone to enjoy.
“It’s showing at the moment. Even with the one point wins, we’re keeping it entertaining. We’re fortunate with people of Cape Town coming to support us. We can’t ask for anything more.”
Big injury
The win did come at a cost with Ruhan Nel suffering a season-ending knee injury. Dobson hinted at young star Suleiman Hartzenberg possibly as an option to fill the void.
“It looks like a pretty serious knee injury. I heard on the radio that it was PCL [Posterior Cruciate Ligament] or MCL [Medial Collateral Ligament]. But then I heard it was ACL [Anterior Cruciate Ligament]. Either way, it’s his season [done],” Dobson said.
“Suleiman [Hartzenberg] can play 13 and he’s a good 13. Ben Loader is coming back.”
