John Dobson says Red Disa investment won't fuel wild spending spree at Stormers

By SABC Sport
20th December 2023

Stormers head coach John Dobson says they won't necessarily by signing several new players on the back of the Red Disa consortium's financial investment.

Red Disa recently secured a controlling shareholding in Western Province Professional Rugby.

The South African Competition Commission approved the transaction after the Western Province Rugby Football Union's clubs voted in favour of affording a 74 percent share of the business division to Red Disa.

"We're not going to get flashy, fly around in jets, go on holiday in Ibiza and start writing huge cheques," Dobson told SA Rugby Magazine.

"What we are going to do is to provide a better service to our players in every aspect, such as with conditioning and things like that.

"We are not going to buy 12 new players like some other teams. We have a very good base to work from and the more cohesion we build, the better we will get."

The Red Disa consortium comprises investment companies Fynbos Ekwiteit, Ardagh Glass Packaging and Marble Head Investments. Dobson referenced hypothetical examples of how the Stormers can benefit from the investment.

"What we will be able to do is fill a big void when someone leaves us. If a top player such as Steven Kitshoff gets a big offer from elsewhere, we might be able to keep him with a competitive offer. Or it will be a longer conversation when talking about the possibility of getting RG Snyman," he added.

"This might mean that we don't have to ask Brok Harris - after he played against the Leicester Tigers - to travel back to the Cape in economy class via Qatar.

"We probably work with a budget of 30 percent less than certain other teams. It doesn't bother us. The way we competed --with everything that went on behind the scenes - is a testament to the work of many remarkable people within the organisation.

"They want us to be viable and are going to drive the commercial side of things. They realise that we are doing decently on the rugby side, but need a little support."

The Stormers won the inaugural United Rugby Championship (URC) in 2022 and were runners-up to reigning champions Munster earlier this year.

Dobson's team currently occupy 10th position on this season's URC points table after three wins in four losses. In this season's Champions Cup, the Stormers are in fourth position in pool four's six-team standings.