Devastated Stormers holding heads high after URC heartache: 'Keep the tears for the pillow'

Stormers coach John Dobson and skipper Steven Kitshoff were left devastated following their side's 19-14 loss to Munster in Saturday's United Rugby Championship final at a packed Cape Town Stadium. 

MATCH REPORT | Stormers' URC dream shattered

The Stormers delivered their worst performance of the knockout stages this season and were punished, missing out on an opportunity to win back-to-back URC titles after their famous victory over the Bulls at the same venue in 2022. 

It was not to be this time around, though, as the hosts were outplayed, particularly in the first half. 

"It's hard for us now. It's very, very tough," said Dobson. 

"We really wanted to win this cup, but we've got to try and be disciplined and look at the bigger picture. I've been telling them [the players] to try save the tears for the pillow later, because we did something special.

"We know there was an error or two in the final five or six minutes, but we're not going to hang anyone out for that. That's just not our style."

Dobson said that while the Stormers had lost their URC title, they had still achieved their goals for 2022/23, which left a bittersweet feeling. 

"We wanted to increase our depth, prove we belong at the top table of European rugby and increase a sense of belonging for everybody in the group. It was just about making Cape Town smile," he said. 

"It's a weird one because we've ticked off our goals, yet we're feeling here miserable.

"Let's try be disciplined enough to keep the tears for the pillow, because there will be tears later."

Stormers skipper Steven Kitshoff was also visibly emotional during the post-match press conference as he said goodbye to the union that he has made home for the bulk of his professional rugby career. 

Kitshoff, off