Stormers streak is over, but coach Dobson finds positives: 'Not the end of the world'

The Stormers' undefeated streak is over following Saturday night's 30-24 loss to Cardiff in Cardiff, but coach John Dobson is pleased with what he saw on tour.

Before Saturday, the United Rugby Championship (URC) defending champions had gone 15 straight matches without losing in the competition - the second-longest streak in URC history.

A Rhys Priestland kicking masterclass combined with some shoddy Stormers ball control, however, meant that Dobson's charges finished their three-match European tour with a win, a draw and a loss.

That is enough to leave the Stormers in fourth place on the URC table, and they will now return to South Africa for a clash against the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday.

"I can't fault our effort," Dobson said after the match.

"We knew they would be tough. Cardiff here in these conditions on this field, they're always going to be tough. But nine points from three games [on tour] is not the end of the world."

Dobson was pleased with his side's rolling maul work on the night, but he said his greatest satisfaction from the tour came in the depth that was being created at the Stormers.

"Somebody like Suleiman (Hartzenberg) or Sacha (Mngomezulu) would have learnt a lot from today," he said.

"We've used 34 players. In terms of capacity, I am very happy. We have locks, loose forwards, props, hookers ... I'm happy.

"We have to get used to winning these games on 70% or 80% strength, so rather than bemoan the fact that we don't have these players, we have to get used to life without them. We're not going to be at 100% strength very often."

Dobson also found a positive in the streak being over. 

"In a strange way, not having people talk about a record all the time is quite nice," he said.