Dobson names early 23 for Stormers vs Bristol Bears Champions Cup opener

John Dobson wasted no time in picking his side for the Champions Cup. The Stormers coach named his match-day 23 on Tuesday 13 October, earlier than usual, ahead of the Cape side's first game in the tournament this season.

The Stormers host Bristol Bears at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Saturday 17 October. It is one of two home matches for South African teams that day: the Bulls take on Stade Français at Loftus, and both franchises have picked strong squads for their openers.

Both come into Europe on the back of URC derby wins a week earlier, the Stormers having beaten the Sharks.

A dangerous visiting attack

The English side ran in nine tries when they beat the Bulls 61-49 at Loftus last season. Pat Lam coaches them, and their wing is Louis Rees-Zammit, who toured South Africa with the 2021 British and Irish Lions.

Ruhan Nel, the Stormers captain who also runs their defence, singled out how hard they are to read. "There are good attacking teams like Leinster, but what is different about Bristol is their unpredictability," he said.

Bristol had not lost this season until their most recent outing, a defeat by Saracens in the Premiership. Dobson said they rested players for that game. "They are a team that when they click and get going are as good as any team in the competition," he said.

The coach also pointed to his side's record against English visitors. By his account, the only time the Stormers have beaten one comfortably was a 40-point win over Sale Sharks in Cape Town two years ago. Harlequins put 60 points on them at The Stoop in January.

A tournament still waiting for a South African semi-finalist

No team based in South Africa has yet reached the Champions Cup semi-finals, and when the South African sides were let in, EPCR asked them to put the competition first and pick their best players. Toulouse are the most successful club in the tournament with six titles, and French sides have dominated the past six years.

After this round in October, there is one round in December and two in early January 2027. The finals weekend is on Saturday 22 and Sunday 23 May 2027.