Dobson's Springbok balancing act revealed as Siya returns

Stormers director of rugby John Dobson has revealed how he is managing his Springbok stars with Siya Kolisi’s presence already making a positive impact both on and off the field.

Kolisi’s move from the Sharks back to the Stormers made headlines in December, and excitement surrounding his return to the Cape Town franchise has continued to build.

The 35-year-old will finally pull on the Stormers jersey for the first time in more than five years when he starts at openside flank against Edinburgh at Hive Stadium on Friday.

The two-time World Cup winner, who will make his 119th appearance for the club, had initially been expected to make his comeback when the Stormers returned to South Africa.

However, Kolisi joined the squad in Ireland ahead of their victory over Connacht and was eager to feature immediately after the Stormers suffered two late withdrawals in utility forwards Evan Roos and Marcel Theunissen.

Dobson ultimately opted against throwing Kolisi straight into the action but has now named the experienced Springbok in his starting XV for Friday’s clash.

“He flew from Perth and was desperate to play last week in Galway. It’s super impressive,” Dobson said when asked about Kolisi’s impact.

“Rugby-wise, we needed Siya. We have two other Springbok sixes in Paul [de Villiers] and Deon [Fourie], and neither was available this week.”

Dobson also highlighted the unique qualities Kolisi brings to the Stormers’ back row.

“He’s not an out-and-out stealer; he gets turnovers through his tackling and counter-rucking.

“In terms of leadership, he’s got a big role to play, probably around the integration of the Springboks and setting standards.

“I could see him in the warm-up last week … His presence, just the smile and the songs and everything, it lifts the team.

“But there’s no question that the rugby contribution is what we’re after and what we need.”

Dobson was also struck by the physical presence of the returning Stormers captain.

“What I can’t get over with Siya, and it’s going to sound like a silly point, is the size of him.

“He’s an openside flank, maybe not the world’s most traditional openside flank, but he’s a big beast.

“He’s certainly a bigger man than he was when he left here. He’s a really big presence, and I think that’s going to be useful on the 4G.”

While the two-time World Cup winner has been backed to make an immediate impact, Dobson has taken a different approach with several of his other Springboks, opting to rest key players following their demanding international schedule.

Damian Willemse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Fourie, De Villers and Zachary Porthen have all been left out of the squad, while new signing Wilco Louw and Cheslin Kolbe, who is recovering from a broken jaw, will also not feature.

“So, actually, with all of them individually, to work out an individual player, like Cheslin wasn’t going to play next week against the Sharks, for example,” Dobson said.

“They’ve been through Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry. They’ve been all over; they’ve been to three continents in a couple of weeks and spent a lot of time up in the Highveld.

“I just thought putting them on a plane to Edinburgh was not a good idea.

“Just get them a week off at home, connect with their families.

“Siya just said the best way to connect with a team, because it’s a new team to him, is on tour.

“So, he made that effort, but the other guys we booked off just to get them ready, you know, let them rest and stay at home.”

For Dobson, it is about finding the right balance between getting the best out of his Springboks and managing their workload – while ensuring the Stormers retain their own identity when their international stars are unavailable.

“We don’t want to be a team that, like some other teams, have gone where they’ve been Springbok-heavy and then have a different identity when the Springboks aren’t there.

The Stormers will be looking for their second win of the season when they take on Edinburgh on Friday, before returning home to face the Sharks on October 10 at DHL Stadium.