The Stormers will throw everything they’ve got at the Hurricanes in their Super Rugby opener at Newlands on Saturday, including their own British and Irish Lion.
Former Wales centre Jamie Roberts was only unveiled as a new signing by the franchise last week, but Stormers coach John Dobson won’t hesitate to make use of the 33-year-old centre’s services from the word "go".
Dobson says: “We’re going to field our strongest team this weekend - the Springboks are available and we’ve got a British and Irish Lion.
“We have three things that might work in our favour this year - it’s the last year at Newlands (which means a lot to the players), the draw (we’ve got so many home games at the start ) and then of course the Springboks’ influence [on the squad after winning the World Cup].
ALL GUNS BLAZING: John Dobson. Picture: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix.
“We have to start well, there is no holding back this Saturday.”
Pushed on whether he will start Roberts at inside centre where Damian de Allende’s move to Japan left a big hole, Dobson, who will name his team on Thursday, says: “He [Roberts] will play on Saturday.
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“We’re going full strength and we’ll be using all the international experience we’ve got.”