John Dobson doesn't entirely dismiss the speculation that South African rugby's commitment to the Champions Cup came into genuine question at administrative level last off-season — SARU's clarifying statement notwithstanding. His response is pragmatic: the best political argument for staying in the competition is a deep run, and he wants the Stormers to make that case on the field. He's gone public with his squad four days early for the Bristol home opener — an unusual move justified as a crowd-building exercise, not a Springbok-style tactical signal — hoping a named team featuring Kolisi, Fourie and Nel shifts enough Saturday afternoon decisions to fill DHL Stadium. Dobson also flags the competition's slower uptake with local fans compared to the URC, explaining it as a familiarity gap: five seasons into the URC, supporters know their European club opponents, but the Stormers have never faced Bristol or Bordeaux-Bègle before, so the education process is still running a year behind.