John Dobson proud of young Stormers' Champions Cup showing in Leicester

Challenged with the demands of playing in the United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup, Dobson opted to send a young team to England. However, the Stormers rallied to play some great rugby, leading 17-10 at the half.

The match was on a knife-edge at 23-all going into the final quarter but a try from Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard broke the deadlock and started a late surge from the Tigers.

Standing opposite Pollard at the chilly Welford Road was debutant Jurie Matthee. The 20-year-old showed talent and poise beyond his years, kicking 16 points, including an ambitious drop goal.

Speaking to Rugby365, Dobson revealed that the flyhalves - who were both schooled at Springbok factory Paarl Gimnasium - swapped notes after the match.

"They are sitting outside here in the passage, talking now, it is so special," said Dobson.

"Jurie has never even worn a Stormers jersey before. He just seemed so mature. Nothing bothered him, even when things went wrong.

"Now Pollard and Matthee are sitting in the passage talking. It is a good reflection on South Africa and a cool story."

A Leicester try in the dying embers of the match cruelly denied the Stormers a losing bonus-point, which Dobson described as "a kick in the guts". But nonetheless, he could see the silver lining in the young teams' performance.

"The positives far outweigh the negatives," he concluded.

The Stormers - who rested a host of their usual starters - host French giants La Rochelle in Cape Town on Saturday.  

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