The Stormers want to make Cape Town smile again.
And for this reason they will take the game to the people this weekend.
Coach John Dobson’s charges will kick off their pre-season campaign at Florida Park in Ravensmead on Saturday where they will face UCT, Maties a WP XV and CPUT in four 20-minute matches.
Of their choice of venue for the matches, Dobson says: “One of our themes for our team this year is to get Cape Town smiling.
“We need to reach out to the community – the support we get from the people of Cape Town is extraordinary.
“Our market has changed over the last 21 years and we can’t just sit and wait for people to come. We’re trying to engage more and get more people coming to Newlands.”
COMMITTED: John Dobson. Picture: Chris Ricco/BackpagePix.
While his Springboks stars will not be playing in Saturday’s matches, it is an opportunity for Dobson to test the depth in his squad.
The coach says his team is in a really good space, with Springbok flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit being the only real injury concern ahead of the new season.
Dobson, though, says: “Pieter-Steph should be fine the first of Feb [for Super Rugby opener v the Hurricanes].
“He’s got a shoulder injury, but will not be ready for Superhero [Sunday].”
%%%twitter https://twitter.com/ikeytigers?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">@ikeytigers2019 captain) and Michal Haznar ( @maties_rugby) who will be up against former teammates this weekend as Stormers players on Varsity Day ! #RugbyThatRocks https://t.co/RStnm137Q8 pic.twitter.com/8HUdFwd1Qf
— Varsity Cup (@varsitycup)
The Superhero Sunday Dobson is referring to is on 19 January when the Stormers will tackle the Sharks in their final warm-up clash at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg.
Varsity Day:
- 9.30am: Gates are opened
- 1.30pm: Stormers v CPUT
- 2pm: Stormers v WP XV
Break
- (TBC) Stormers v UCT
- (TBC) Stormers v Maties
- 2.30pm: Signing session
Tickets: R20