High-flying Stormers show 2022 URC title was no fluke as final looms: 'It's an incredible feeling'

Stormers coach John Dobson was emotional after his side reached their second URC final in as many years on Saturday, revealing it had been a source of motivation to his side all campaign to prove their title-winning season in 2021/22 was no fluke. 

The defending champions beat Ireland's Connacht 43-25 in front of 47 000 spectators at a windy Cape Town Stadium, overcoming a shaky start that saw them slip to an 8-0 deficit. 

READ | Libbok dazzles as Stormers blow Connacht away in front of 47 000 in Cape Town

As was the case in last weekend's quarter-final victory over the Bulls, Manie Libbok was again instrumental to the Stormers' success, scoring two tries on the day for a personal haul of 23 points. 

The Stormers will now play against one of Leinster or Munster in the tournament final in two weekends, but regardless of who that opposition is, Dobson ensures that his side will be up for the fight. 

"It's a little bit emotional, to be honest," said Dobson when asked what back-to-back URC finals meant to him. 

"Our big fear throughout the year was to prove that we belonged and that last season wasn't a fluke. I think if you had said we would go to the final again this season ... it would have been difficult to believe.

"It's an incredible feeling for us. To have made two finals is so special. It's emotional, but in a nice way."

With skipper Steven Kitshoff on his way to Ulster at the end of the current season, Saturday was also a massive day for him, knowing that this could be his final match in front of his home crowd. 

"It's absolutely amazing. Getting 47 000 people into the stadium is incredible, and you can feel the atmosphere whenever there is something happening," he said. 

"It wasn't the greatest weather for rugby, but it was