John Dobson described Friday night's 38-all draw with Ulster in Belfast as a bitter-sweet result, acknowledging the Stormers were fortunate to salvage three log points via a last-gasp penalty try while lamenting that a victory was well within their grasp.
The result leaves the Stormers a point behind Glasgow, who beat Cardiff at home on the same night, with one round of regular-season fixtures remaining. The Stormers travel to Cardiff on Friday while Glasgow host Ulster at Ravenhill — a fixture that could yet hand the Stormers the league lead if results fall their way. A five-point win in Cardiff, combined with Glasgow taking four points or fewer in Belfast, would see the Stormers finish top. At minimum, a win in Cardiff should secure a top-two finish and home advantage through the quarterfinals and semifinals.
Dobson pointed to a string of self-inflicted errors as the primary reason the Stormers failed to close out the win. Two penalties conceded in try-scoring positions, a knock-on from Evan Roos near the line, and Imad Khan being played before receiving the ball and knocking on amounted to four missed try opportunities. "That we didn't get five was frustrating because we conceded needless penalties, two of them in try-scoring positions and one of those was effectively a 14-point swing," Dobson said.
Compounding the frustration was the early loss of Deon Fourie, who was captaining the side in the absence of the injured Ruhan Nel. Fourie tore knee ligaments following a crocodile roll by Ulster captain Iain Henderson, who was red-carded for the act. Fourie is out for the remainder of the season. "I feel very sorry for Deon and it is also a big blow for us, particularly given the form that Deon was in," said Dobson, adding that such foul play warranted a full-game suspension rather than the 20-minute exclusion that currently applies.
Fourie's injury adds to a growing casualty list that already includes Cobus Reinach, who was hurt in the previous match against Glasgow. Despite the setbacks, Dobson expressed confidence in the squad's ability to perform in the knockout rounds, noting that moments of dominance during the Ulster game gave him genuine encouragement ahead of the playoffs.