DHL Stormers' Head Coach John Dobson said “character” had been the pivotal factor in the DHL Stormers’ win over the Vodacom Bulls in Pretoria on Saturday.
The DHL Stormers had to dig deep but ultimately they showed enough composure to beat the Vodacom Bulls by 23-19 (half-time 13-12) in a Vodacom United Rugby Championship humdinger at Loftus Versfeld.
The attendance was the biggest for a Vodacom URC game in South Africa, and they were treated to a master-class from the visitors in how to absorb pressure with brilliant defence, and then shift gear when the opportunity presented itself in a magnificent advertisement for the depth in South African derby.
“I’m very proud of the character shown by the team. We knew the level of motivation and desperation for this game, and that the first 20, 30 minutes would be really tough."
“They dominated most of that half, and we conceded too many penalties as well.
“At 12-03 we were under the pump, but the way we stayed in the fight, got into the lead at half time, and then started the second half was magic, and then the character at the end.
“That’s just what this team is about, what happened in those last 10 minutes, and I’m so proud of them. We were defending so well, there was just this desperation to defend to win.”