Stormers will give it full crack against Toulon, says Dobson

With their eyes firmly on the biggest prize in world club rugby, the Stormers will give it a full crack when they face French powerhouse Toulon in an Investec Champions Cup last 16 showdown on Saturday, says coach John Dobson.

The Cape side is expecting a titanic battle all over the park against a tenacious Toulon side who have a dominant pack and fast backs at the Stade Mayol in France (kickoff 4pm).

“It is a really good Toulon team with a strong scrum, and they’re very fast,” said Dobson.

“We want to respect this competition and we want to go as far as we can. No South African team has made a semifinal, so that’s something we’re very aware of.

“Toulon caught us when we played them before, with just how quick they are across the park. They win every scrum battle. They are highly ranked in France, and we’re going to have to spin and win.

“I don’t think we’re going to grind it out against that size pack. But what an experience for us. It’ll be a part of our growth. We’ll give it a full go — a full, full crack.

“Our set-piece will be crucial against Toulon. The Stormers pride ourselves on our scrum, but they’re one of the best in France. Toulon win every scrum battle. I think they’re No 2 in France. We are going to have to spin and win.”

Dobson said his team lacked patience when they beat Edinburgh 33-14 on Saturday.

“There is a lack of patience within the team,” he said. “We talk about our 22m entries a lot, but we have to find solutions for that. Instead of throwing a skip pass and ending up tied seven-all rather than 14-0 ahead [after an intercept try], we could have looked for the pick-and-go with the forwards at that stage.

“From our first five entries, we scored zero points. It is something we must fix.

Making a fast start and achieving set piece dominance helped propel the Sharks to a crucial 21-15 win over Cardiff in difficult conditions in Durban on Friday, coach JP Pietersen said. High humidity made the ball slippery, and this resulted in unforced handling errors during a hard-fought United Rugby Championship clash at Kings Park. Two tries from Phepsi Buthelezi and one from Yaw Penxe boosted the Sharks’ hopes of a top eight URC finish. “What I’m most pleased with is how we started the game,” Pietersen said. “We started the game fast, and then obviously Cardiff, a quality side, came back to us, put us under massive pressure, and scored two quick tries. “And obviously we just felt in the coaching box that we had to swing momentum and change momentum. “We sent the new front row on just before halftime to give us that edge, and flipping hell, it came off and it worked. “It was good to go and finish 21-12 up at the break. That gave us lots of confidence going into the second half. “Where we took control of the game was in the set piece. The Sharks scrummed well and scrummed for penalties, and we obviously mauled them well. “And when we got into the 22 in the first half, we scored tries. “In the second half we couldn’t convert. “I think that’s the opposite of what we wanted, and then obviously the territory and the kicking game — we were a bit sloppy in that department, which we could have been better at. “It’s a good learning for us before we go on the road to learn, with obviously the tricky conditions overseas, with the humidity in Durban. “Nobody can see it from TV, but the ball was slippery, and it was wet. “The conditions were extremely difficult. People watching TV will probably say, ‘Why are you guys not passing or catching a ball?’ “But the ball is slippery like a bar of soap. And I think we did well to score three tries in those conditions.” Pietersen praised his team for sticking together and managing to get the job done despite the conditions. “You must give massive credit to the leadership,” he said. “In this group around Andre Esterhuizen, you can see he’s leading well as a captain. “And then you’ve got Ethan Hooker in the leadership group; you’ve got Nick Hatton who played today. “Vincent Tshituka and Emile van Heerden are huge just keeping the forwards composed. “And then we’ve got, obviously, the two hookers, Fez and Eduan Swart; they’re all so good and just keeping us controlled and composed. And Phepsi was good too.” Pietersen said injury concerns would make selection difficult in the weeks ahead. “It tests the character of the squad with injuries, and Luan Giliomee coming off was obviously unfortunate. It’s a bit of a setback, but I think he will bounce back. “But it gives the next guy an opportunity to come back into the squad, and that’s your culture in your environment and your group — how you bounce back and how you pull as a squad.” Scorers: Sharks 21: Tries: Phepsi Buthelezi (2), Yaw Penxe. Conversions: Jordan Hendrikse (2), Bradley Davids. Cardiff 15: Tries: Mason Grady (2). Conversion: Callum Sheedy. Penalty: Ioan Lloyd. Other URC scores: Bulls 34 Munster 31, Lions 42 Dragons 26, Stormers 33 Edinburgh 14. Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

“I am pleased with the victory. However, we don’t really enjoy playing at this time [7pm] against northern hemisphere opposition in Cape Town.

“We get a lot of criticism but we are second on the log and reasonably well-positioned, although we are also doing plenty wrong.

“It was a bit frustrating not to have had a bigger lead at halftime, especially with the intercept, but towards the end we were well on top. It is very much a job done for me.”

Stormers captain Ruhan Nel said: “I spoke to the referees downstairs after the Edinburgh game, and they said it’s quite an experience to play Toulon.

“Even playing them in Gqeberha a couple of years ago, just to face a French team of that magnitude was a special occasion for us. To have them now on their home field in front of their home crowd is going to be something special.”

Stormers assistant coach Rito Hlungwani said: “Look, Toulon are a very good team despite their recent results.

“They’ve got quality players all over — internationals, strong scrummagers –— so we’re expecting a really tough game. There’s definitely no complacency from our side.

A resilient never-quit attitude will drive Harlequins forward at the Ebrahim Patel Community Cup (EPCC) Easter tournament, which kicks off in George on Thursday, coach Leon Nicolaai says. Two of EP’s most successful club rugby teams, Harlequins and Kruisfontein United, are facing tough opening matches at Outeniqua Park. Gqeberha’s Harlequins have been drawn to play Blanco (kickoff 4pm), and crack Humansdorp outfit Kruisfontein United are set to collide with Robertson (5.45pm). “One of our biggest strengths will be our depth because we have a squad of about 40-plus players,” Nicolaai said. “This will play a role, and our resilience, belief and never-quit attitude. These are strengths Harlequins thrive on. When we started our campaign in 2025, we said we wanted to dominate the Grand Challenge tournament and, after that, start dominating outside the province in bigger national events,” he said. “That is Harlequins’ goal: to be better at tournaments and in the national Gold Cup at the end of the year. We need to build our platforms so Harlequins can be better at national tournaments, because part of the overall plan is to put the club back on the national stage,” Nicolaai said. “Then we can build platforms for players to move into provincial set-ups and even higher.” Apart from success at the Ebrahim Patel Community Cup tournament, Harlequins have set their sights on success in the EPRU Grand Challenge Top 12. “We want to make 2026 the year we go out and win the Top 12,” Nicolaai said. “Last year we missed out by two points in the final against Gardens in a great game. Harlequins gained experience from that final and also what happened in George in 2025,” Nicolaai said. “We will be better equipped going into both competitions in 2026, and we hope to do well. As a club we would like to win everything on offer. We have been active on the field even though we did not play in the EC Super 14 tournament. “Harlequins have good pre-season games under the belt, and we are in fine shape and form. The players are calm, and they know what is expected of them, so it has been a good build-up to George,” Nicolaai said. “We started our Grand Challenge season last week, and we had a good win, 46-10, over Hankey Villagers. On Saturday we had a team-building session, and preparations have gone well with no hiccups and major injuries. “Harlequins are all set to go,” Nicolaai said. “The win over Hankey Villagers came at the right time and was a good morale booster for the team. Straight after the Ebrahim Patel tournament we jump back into the Grand Challenge.” At the EPCC draw, EP Rugby president George Malgas pledged his full support to the tournament, which is expected to draw capacity crowds. He called on SA Rugby to actively support initiatives such as the Patel event and said more should be done nationally to preserve and elevate Patel’s legacy within the broader rugby framework. Tournament director Romano Lekay said: “The EPCC has evolved beyond a tournament. “It is unlocking meaningful investment into community rugby through measurable audience growth, broadcast exposure and credible delivery. Sponsors are seeing real return, clubs are benefiting from increased visibility and communities are starting to feel the impact,” Lekay said. “The EPCC started with only two teams and a simple vision — to create a platform for community rugby excellence and to give honour where honour is due." Thursday’s opening fixtures: 4pm: Harlequins v Blanco 5.35pm: Robertson v Kruisfontein 7.40pm: Safcol v Heidelberg 9.15pm: Botrivier v Bridgton. Follow The Herald WhatsApp channel today and stay connected to the stories shaping our world. The Herald

“It’s another game we want to win. We want to give it our best shot, like we have the past few weeks.

“They have some very good players like England prop Kyle Sinckler, who is a very strong scrummager, and England flank Lewis Ludlam. We also know lock Dave Ribbans quite well, as he came through our system.

“We’re in a very good position in terms of our front-row depth, which is coming along nicely, and we are seeing some good results.”

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