John Dobson has spoken openly about the degree to which the Stormers are drawing from the Springbok playbook — most concretely in their adoption of the 6-2 bench split. The key, Dobson explains, is building in the hybrid versatility that makes the format work: Deon Fourie covering hooker and flank, Hacjivah Dayimani doing the work to shift to the wing. Without those multi-role players, the extra forward simply becomes a liability in the back third. Dobson is also candid about the Bok influence on player development — pointing to Zachary Porthen as a player the Stormers might not have pushed as hard without the national team backing him first, and who returned a visibly improved player. The early team announcements, though, Dobson is at pains to clarify, aren't an attempt to replicate Erasmus's psychological warfare — that's purely a commercial decision to drive foot traffic to DHL Stadium.