DHL Stormers coach Dobson on the delights of touring

John Dobson is delighted with the challenge of the BKT United Rugby Championship, and that delight is not exclusive to the on-field battles. Dobson is loving the cultural experience that so few get to experience at a young age.

Dobson, the DHL Stormers coach, guided the Cape Town-based franchise to a historic win in the inaugural BKT URC final against the Vodacom Bulls. His team are currently unbeaten in 20 successive home matches, but it is the matches abroad that provide such excitement for Dobson, for whom travelling has always been a passion.

‘The chance to get to visit the cities we do whilst getting to play the game we love is a privilege and it is something I remind the players of every day when we are on tour. Naturally, we play to be successful and hopefully win, but equally there is a victory in each player’s growth as a person and not just as a rugby player,’ said Dobson.

‘I love travelling, I love reading, I love history and culture and I love writing, when my time allows for it. I also love rugby. When on tour, especially, I get to do these things. It is something I have always reinforced with the players, especially those travelling abroad for the first time.

‘Most South African kids in their early 20s don’t have the financial resources to get to the United Kingdom, as just one example of the many places we get to enjoy as rugby players in this league. Those that do, have worked several jobs while studying to get to Europe or the United Kingdom and Ireland. We get to experience these cities because of rugby and the culture that we as a management have always encouraged is for the players to get out of their hotel rooms and walk the streets of the city we are in and to meet the locals and experience the place.

‘It makes such a difference to the mentality of touring but more importantly it can only improve the player’s mind and understanding that there is a world beyond the rugby field and that there is a wonderful world beyond their home base.

‘We are fortunate to live in a great city (Cape Town) and I know how much our overseas opponents enjoy playing in Cape Town but also experiencing the city and its people.

‘The URC league allows for such a cultural education and we, as a team, embrace it fully.’

The DHL Stormers are in Belfast to play Ulster on Friday evening and Dobson’s squad have spent as much time doing the tourist thing as they have in doing the grind at training.

‘Rugby is the reason we are here, and it is the priority and we have a group of players who know that, but each time we get on a plane and get to another city, be it in Ireland or Italy or Scotland or Wales, our players come back that little bit more rounded and mature.

‘It is whirlwind stuff, at times, and the challenge is massive in going from 30 degrees one match to 2 degrees six days later, but that rugby challenge is counterbalanced with those incredible off the field experiences,’ said Dobson.

The DHL Stormers coach also spoke of the respect there is for the strength of the game up north at club level.

‘Previously, what our players and rugby public identified with were the qualities of the respective national teams, but now they get to understand just how strong the rugby tradition and culture is at club level, and the support there is for the clubs.

‘It makes for one hell of a tough experience on the field, but the hospitality we have experienced wherever we have gone has been an experience of a different kind.

‘There is so much respect from us for the game up north and for how our participation and presence as South Africans has been embraced. As a coach and someone who has always wanted to visit places I had read about, I get to experience the best of both worlds, and more and more I am seeing that in the younger players.

‘It isn’t just a case of getting on a plane, getting to the hotel, to the training ground and back to the hotel, playing the game and getting back on a plane. There is so much more we do with our time, and it makes for a far more enjoyable experience.’