Perfectionist John Dobson expecting more from Stormers as URC derbies loom

Dobson is a hard taskmaster. The Stormers largely dominated two-time Champions Cup winners La Rochelle in an entertaining 42-21 affair in Gqeberha on Saturday. The win marked the Cape Town clubs' eighth consecutive win of the season, but the perfectionist wants more.

Coming up for the Stormers are three tough assignments: first, hosting the unpredictable Lions, then gearing up for home and away clashes against the Bulls.

"We have to get the stuff right and it is no use just talking about it in the week," Dobson told the press.

"We know that performance [in Gqeberha] doesn't beat a fired-up Lions team in Cape Town or a Bulls team.

"I thought we were so energised at the start and so good, and it just felt like we got seduced into it being too easy.

"To produce the intensity that we started that game with was really good for us. However, it was a learning experience, and we had to manage that game better at the 15-to-20-minute mark."

Former Junior Springbok captain and Stormers flank Paul de Villiers delivered a man-of-the-match performance. He was a menace at ruck time, earning multiple key steals and topped the tackle count for his team.

"He is very special," said Dobson.

"Two years ago, we were just getting cleaned out [at the breakdowns], and now we have Paul, who is like a limpet and his decision-making is so good."

The Stormers face the Lions on 20 December, then the Bulls on 27 December and 3 January.