Dobson concerned about captain Nel’s injury, happy about win against Bristol

The Stormers' Director of Rugby, John Dobson, expressed concern over the injury to captain Ruhan Nel, who will be sidelined for the team's European Champions Cup opener against Bristol Bears. Nel, who had been listed as the team captain, was ruled out due to a calf injury, though the severity is uncertain, potentially lasting anywhere from a week to several months.

Despite his absence, the Stormers managed to secure a solid 49-12 victory over Bristol Bears at the Cape Town Stadium on Saturday. Wandisile Simelane took Nel's place as No 13, while Paul de Villiers, a former Junior Springboks captain, received his first-ever captaincy arm band.

Dobson reflected on the team's performance, acknowledging that they were relatively flat in the first half, particularly during their 30 minutes with 14 and 13 players, respectively. The Stormers faced a red card for hooker JJ Kotze and a yellow card for wing Leolin Zas, both for head contact in high tackles. Although the red card and suspensions disrupted their momentum, Dobson believed the team handled the game management well, making up for lost time in the second half.

This win follows victories over Connacht and Edinburgh in the URC, as well as a home win over the Sharks, and the Stormers will look to continue their strong form as they welcome Scarlets and Ulster in the upcoming matches.