Stormers looking to rediscover killer instinct and finish teams off

Dobson said this despite his side's impressive 31-24 win over Sale Sharks in the Champions Cup over the weekend.

It was a solid performance from the Capetonians as they took their win streak to four in all competitions against a gritty Sale side that refused to go away, even with the Stormers' dominance in several facets of the game.

The clash saw Hacjivah Dayimani put in his performance of the season, one typified by electric carries and hard work down the middle of the park. The number eight scored one of the tries that powered the hosts to a bonus point in front of just over 25,000 fans.

Dobson was delighted to see the Stormers look more lethal with ball in hand - an aspect of their game central to their success over the last two seasons.

"What delighted me the most was that we started to see the Stormers of the last two years, in terms of how we played and looked for space with ball in hand," Dobson said.

"It reminded me of the glory days," Dobson laughed. "We have missed a little bit of that this season.

"But it is very tricky, against a team that slows you down like that. I admire [Sale's] fight, so this is not judgemental, but they didn't want this game to open up.

"Every kick was a contestable, so it was a difficult game for us to open up. So for us to still see good signs, it's important."

The win continues the momentum for Dobson's men but the coach admits to being frustrated that the Stormers have failed to well and truly put their opponents away when they have the upper hand.

"What does worry me - we also saw it in the Sharks and Bulls games - we had opportunities to go two-plus scores ahead, to finish the game. It was certainly the case today, on three or four occasions. But that didn't happen.

"Sitting in the coaches box, you think this game could have been over and we wouldn't have to go through the agony.

"But then, when the game gets to 73 or 74 minutes, the lead actually starts to look quite imperious. The way we closed out these games, in the last three or four minutes, was very good. The fact that we aren't burying teams when we have them on the ropes is a bit frustrating."

Dobson desperately wanted to get a full house of points and deprive Sale of any which did not happen as a brain fade from Leolin Zas allowed the visitors to come within seven points taking a losing bonus point back to England.

Still, the Stormers are well placed heading into the final pool stage clash against Stade Francais with the chances of them advancing from a very difficult group being very real.

"Our goal was to try and get 5-0 today [in terms of log points]. That's probably why the mood is a little bit irritable. Manie's kick fell just short and could have broken them.

"I think if we got 5-0 we probably would have been through. I still think the odds are definitely in our favour, so getting five points was important.

"We are going to do a good job in Paris next week. If we get out of this group of death, it will be a great achievement by the Stormers."

READ MORE: Premiership star Ruan Ackermann eyeing return to SA to chase Springbok dream