John Dobson used the Stormers' performance against the All Blacks as evidence that his long-range rebuild is on track. Speaking to Rugby365, Dobson pointed to the emergence of Yaqeen Ahmed, Wandile Mlaba, Vernon Matongo and Herman Lubbe as proof that the squad's depth is genuine — not just a product of favourable circumstances. His broader point was striking: the Stormers put up a brave showing while missing roughly 15 players through injury and Springbok duty, a load that would have crippled the 2022 URC-winning vintage. With 10 Junior World Championship winners in the mix, Kolbe and Kolisi contracted until 2029, and the squad's average age trending down, Dobson believes the foundation is being laid ahead of schedule. The piece is worth reading for Dobson's candid assessment of where this group sits relative to previous Stormers squads — and what the pipeline genuinely looks like.
Dobson sees Project 2029 taking shape despite injury toll and Bok absentees
Dobson argues the Stormers' performance against the All Blacks — achieved without roughly 15 first-choice players — signals that Project 2029 is ahead of schedule, with emerging talent validating the franchise's long-range rebuild.
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.
Dobson's 2012 gamble on Kolbe, and why the Stormers' homecoming recruits aren't a Sharks repeat
Rich reveals Kolbe nearly quit rugby in 2012 before Dobson's intervention, and uses the Stormers' latest homecoming signings to argue why their model is structurally different from — and smarter than — the Sharks' costly Galactico era.
De Villiers warns Stormers risk repeating the Sharks' star-studded trap
De Villiers warns the Stormers risk the Sharks' trap — big Bok signings, brand value, but URC inconsistency when those players are away. He and Burger also take a pointed dig at the Lavanini link given his sin-bin habits.
Kolbe takes pay cut to return to Stormers, Dobson eyes 2029 with two icons back
Cheslin Kolbe returns to the Stormers on a below-market deal, taking a substantial pay cut from his Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath salary to join John Dobson's Project 2029 rebuild alongside fellow returning icon Siya Kolisi.
Kolbe set for Stormers return from July 1 as Project 2029 takes shape
Cheslin Kolbe is reportedly set to return to the Stormers from July 1, with a multi-party funding arrangement — involving Roc Nations Sports, a third-party sponsor believed to be Sportybet, and SA Rugby's PONI structure — enabling his release from Suntory Sungoliath ahead of schedule.