John Dobson hails Stormers' 'most important win' after Loftus triumph

The Stormers ended the Bulls' four-match winning streak while claiming a bonus-point win, lifting themselves to second place in the United Rugby Championship standings. Dobson said the result was especially satisfying given the scrutiny and pressure his team had faced in recent weeks.

"From where we came from, there was a lot of doubt, a lot of questions, a lot of noise around some of our players… we were under a lot of pressure. This is probably our most important win, and I also think, to be honest, our most dominant performance up here," Dobson said.

The visitors scored four tries - including a penalty try - after a tightly contested first half, when they led 10-7 and Dobson pinpointed a key turning point.

"I honestly think we turned the game when we had the two yellows. There were two big things – that defensive set at the start of the second half when they came at us with what must have been 20 phases and we managed to repel that. Our maul and scrum worked well too," said Dobson.

Captain Ruhan Nel praised the team's patience, particularly when reduced to 13 men. "The patience we showed when we were 13 on the field was a real sign of maturity. Sacha (Feinberg-Mngomezulu) and Boogie (Warrick Gelant) controlled that really well," he said.

Dobson also highlighted the quality of the opposition. "It's a really good Bulls team, all around the field. It's a big win for us because this is not an average Bulls team or a Bulls team in crisis. It's a team with momentum and real class, well-led and well-organised."

The Stormers' return to their fundamentals - strong set-piece, disciplined kicking, and patient defence - proved decisive in a win that marks a major statement for the Cape side as they chase URC honours.