'Upset or two on the cards for SA teams' after clean sweep start to URC home games, says Dobson

Stormers coach John Dobson admitted that he has tempered his expectations of how well South African teams will do during their host of home games in the United Rugby Championship (URC).

Matches hosted by the South African teams all ended in wins for the home sides this past weekend, but Dobson took note of how visiting Scarlets, Munster, Cardiff and, to a lesser extent Zebre "stuck around in matches".

The Stormers, playing in Stellenbosch last week had the more comfortable game of the weekend.

The Sharks kicked into gear late in the second half in the encounter against Scarlets; the Bulls went to sleep in the second half of their match against Munster while the Lions showed good fight to keep Cardiff at bay at Ellis Park.

Cape Town stadium is looking immaculate this afternoon & the Stormers are out to train. They of course face Cardiff on Sunday at 14:00. @Sport24news pic.twitter.com/Q01IShKZc8

"I always felt had the home matches been played [in late November/December], and everyone got the points on offer, the log would have looked better because it looked dreadful for South African teams," Dobson told reporters on Thursday ahead of their Cardiff clash on Sunday at their familiar Cape Town Stadium.

Games were postponed last year as the Omicron variant of the coronavirus swept through countries across the globe - South Africa was not spared.

"It does concern me how good they were [visiting teams] in the second half [of their matches], but 32 degrees in Cape Town on Sunday, playing the rugby we are playing; it’s going to be tough for them."

Steven Kitshoff is back to lead the side in the only change to the DHL Stormers starting line-up to face Cardiff at DHL Stadium on Sunday. ?? Full team announcement https://t.co/Af1l3Zkwrl???