John Dobson has admitted Yaqeen Ahmed's development has moved faster than the Stormers anticipated, comparing the fly-half's composure and commitment to Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's emergence a few years back. Fresh off a standout U20 Championship campaign, Ahmed gets his shot against the All Blacks on Friday — and Dobson is backing him for 80 minutes. On the tactical challenge, Dobson is candid: the Stormers don't face Dave Rennie's high-tempo, ball-in-hand All Blacks week-in, week-out, and he's not pretending otherwise. His plan is to lean into Stormers physicality rather than try to match New Zealand's expansive game — what he pointedly calls avoiding 'Super Rugby basketball'. Worth reading for the Ahmed insight and Dobson's unusually frank assessment of the stylistic gap between the sides.
Dobson draws Feinberg-Mngomezulu parallel as Ahmed earns All Blacks start
Dobson likens Ahmed's rapid emergence to SFM's early rise and confirms him for 80 minutes against the All Blacks, while making a blunt admission that Rennie's expansive style is a challenge the Stormers simply don't encounter week-to-week — and won't try to mirror.
Stormers count injury cost after Cardiff win: Feinberg-Mngomezulu ankle blow threatens semi-final place
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu faces a serious ankle injury that is likely to rule him out of the Stormers' URC semi-final against Leinster in Dublin, with Ruben van Heerden, Seabelo Senatla and Dan du Plessis also among the injury concerns after Saturday's 44-21 quarter-final win over Cardiff.
Dobson: Kolbe returning to win trophies, not to wind down
John Dobson says Cheslin Kolbe has made a major financial sacrifice to return to the Stormers, motivated by winning trophies rather than winding down his career, while warning the franchise is close to its limit on high-profile signings.
Syndesmosis injury could keep Feinberg-Mngomezulu out for three months
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu faces a three-month absence after suffering a syndesmosis injury in the Stormers' URC quarter-final win over Cardiff, potentially ruling him out of the Nations Championship Tests and part of the All Blacks series.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu vows to return stronger after 'serious' ankle injury clouds Stormers semi-final
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has vowed to return stronger after sustaining a serious ankle injury in the Stormers' URC win over Cardiff, with John Dobson admitting the loss of the fly-half ahead of the semi-final against Leinster is 'a big blow' and Jurie Matthee set to deputise at ten.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu faces three to four months out with suspected ankle fracture
Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu faces three to four months out with a suspected ankle fracture, putting the Greatest Rivalry Series against the All Blacks in serious doubt. The Stormers also head to Dublin for their URC semifinal against Leinster without Seabelo Senatla (concussion) and likely Dan du Plessis, and with Cobus Reinach already sidelined.