'We've got one job': John Dobson challenges Stormers to take fight to All Blacks

The Stormers – or Western Province, as they were known at the time – have not faced New Zealand's national team since 1976, and Dobson has warned his players to prepare for a different kind of onslaught than what they're used to facing in the URC.

"What's clear to me is that the difference is getting bigger in style," Dobson said at his final press conference in Cape Town before the match.

"If you watch how much the All Blacks are passing and moving the ball, it's just going through the roof. We haven't faced that. We don't play them every week."

Dobson expects the Stormers to stick to the strengths that have served them well at provincial level rather than attempting to match the All Blacks' attacking style.

"We've got to engage them like that. We've got to look at those things that we're doing every week – the physicality, that's what we're good at. That's in our DNA," he said.

"We can't suddenly go out there and try and join what Stephen Jones calls Super Rugby, the basketball. That's not going to be our plan at all."

Dobson believes the key will be whether the Stormers can impose enough pressure to disrupt New Zealand's attacking style.

"It's going to be fascinating from that point of view. Can our line speed and the way we apply pressure put their skills under pressure?"

Dobson also made it clear the Stormers will not treat the match as a simple pre-season hit-out, arguing that the success of the tour depends on the franchise teams providing a real challenge.

"If we're going to make traditional touring have value, the midweek team at some stage you're going to have to get very close or turn one of these teams over, otherwise they're going to lose their value," he said.

"If the franchises are going to roll over and have their tummy tickled, then this touring thing's not going to work."

Among those set to experience the occasion for the first time will be Junior Bok star Yaqeen Ahmed, who will make his Stormers debut against the All Blacks.

Dobson said the 20-year-old's rapid progress has surprised even the Stormers.

"He's come through much faster than we thought," he said. "I thought he did so well for the Under-20s.

"We're loath to make comparisons, but we had a reminder there of a few years ago when Sacha [Feinberg-Mngomezulu] was coming through – that same commitment, composure, excitement."

The coach said Ahmed's involvement reflects the faith the Stormers have in him.

"He's going to put in a big shift. I mean, hopefully 80 minutes. That's just because of the faith we've got in him. He's special."

For Dobson, the task on Friday night is ultimately straightforward.

"We've got one job there, to get in that fight and win it."