Overview
- John Dobson condemned online vitriol directed at Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, calling the scrutiny unfair and insisting the playmaker has a long-term future for the Stormers and Springboks.
- The coach accepted responsibility for overloading the flyhalf with leadership, confirming the captaincy was eased after JD Schickerling wore the armband against the Lions.
- Dobson said senior players Deon Fourie, Dan du Plessis and Ruhan Nel are available for selection, with Seabelo Senatla a possible return, and that leadership options will be reconsidered rather than handed straight back to Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
- He acknowledged Springbok assistant Tony Brown’s advice that the No 10 should use teammates more, adding the Stormers’ club context differs from the resource-rich national setup.
- The Stormers enter a rescheduled Round Eight derby at Loftus on a three-match URC skid after an eight-game winning start, with Feinberg-Mngomezulu insisting the side is close to a bounce-back as they sit fifth with a game in hand.