The Stormers delivered a powerful on-field response to a difficult week, thrashing Glasgow Warriors 48-12 in their United Rugby Championship clash at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
A week after a 33-24 home defeat to Connacht, played in the emotional aftermath of team manager Chippie Solomon’s sudden passing, the Stormers returned with renewed focus and clinical execution to surge to the top of the standings.
Director of rugby John Dobson credited the turnaround to a simplified and more direct approach, with his side showing far greater control than in their previous outing.
“I don’t know if everyone understands how tough last week was and how emotional it was. The fact that we could focus more on rugby this week made a difference,” Dobson said.
The hosts kept things tight, avoided unnecessary risk and built pressure through structured phases, which laid the foundation for a six-try performance that overwhelmed their Scottish opponents.
Dobson, however, was critical of the reaction that followed their loss to Connacht, saying there had been little appreciation for what the squad had been dealing with off the field.
“To understand what this team was going through, or what Chippie meant to us and to this organisation… to expect those guys to perform normally. It’s just a lack of humanity in my mind, the pressure they were under,” he said.
“We wanted to put in a proper performance, so to have done it like that and in the manner that we did, it’s a really happy change room at this stage and we can build on this.”
Stormers captain Ruhan Nel said the criticism had not gone unnoticed and had played a role in motivating the team’s response.
“We embrace criticism, but there was a lack of understanding about what we went through,” Nel said.
“I just feel like there was a lack of respect, a lack of understanding towards the team and what we went through. That also was part of the motivation this week, that put a little bit of an anger in us. That added motivation.”
The Stormers were dominant throughout, combining physicality with accuracy as they controlled territory and punished Glasgow’s defensive lapses.
Two tries for our number one and the @Vodacom #URC Man of the Match Ntuthuko Mchunu. #inittogether pic.twitter.com/C6ovCGYIhj
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) April 25, 2026
The result lifted them above their opponents on the log and reinforced their credentials as title contenders as the competition enters its closing stages.
They will now enjoy a short break before heading on a two-match European tour, where they face Ulster on 8 May and Cardiff on 15 May to wrap up their regular season campaign.
Photo Credits: x.com/THESTORMERS/status/
