DHL Stormers head coach John Dobson was visibly proud after a 71st-minute try from flyhalf Manie Libbok helped the Stormers claim a nailbiting 24-20 victory against Stade Francais to set up a home Round of 16 fixture against La Rochelle in the 2023/24 Champions Cup competition.
“We are thrilled with the result. It was incredibly tough conditions. During the game, you could visibly see the field freezing and players getting cold. We have never played in conditions like that."
“To qualify with a home playoff from the ‘Pool of Death’ is extraordinary. So we are very happy,” Dobson said.
A superb effort from the bench helped the visitors secure a full house of points.
“That’s the plan generally. They made a huge difference,” Dobson said regarding the bench. “It made a massive difference in the pack and brought us real energy.”
During the final minutes of the match, Stade Francais threw everything they had at the defence of their visitors, setting up camp meters from the DHL Stormers tryline. John Dobson said he was pleased with how the Stormers had responded to falling behind.
“Once they didn’t score that second-half try, when Deon Fourie intervened, I thought we got on top of them. I was frustrated that it took so long."
“The last two minutes were unbearable, after we conceded the scrum penalty, the blood pressure was high. But I can’t praise the team enough for fighting in those conditions against a pretty motivated Stade team.”
The Stormers will now have a three-week break, before returning to action in the Vodacom URC with a coastal derby against the Sharks in Durban on 17 February.
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