Ruhan: We have a score to settle with Irish

Captain Ruhan Nel says the Stormers have learnt lessons from last season’s losses to Connacht and Leinster, the favourites and obstacle to URC title glory for John Dobson’s men, reports DEVIN HERMANUS.

The Capetonians begin their 2026-27 campaign with trips to Connacht and Edinburgh, while they also close out their league schedule overseas, with clashes at defending champions Leinster and the Dragons.

Dobson’s charges advanced to the semi-finals last season after beating Cardiff in the Mother City, before falling to Leinster in Dublin.

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“The Leinster loss is still fresh in our minds. There are a couple of games that are actually still fresh in our minds, but I think obviously the big one was the Leinster loss for us,” Nel told the media on Thursday.

“The lessons learnt in that game, actually just seeing how we could operate in that hostile environment, going against a full Irish team … hopefully we can get the start again like we had last season.”

The Stormers have unfinished business against Connacht after the Irish province beat them during last season’s URC league phase at Cape Town Stadium. 

Galway’s Sportsground is the venue for next Friday’s rematch, and Nel said victory on foreign soil would provide a strong start to the season.

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“It is a very tough place to play,” the veteran centre added. “That Connacht game that we lost, is fresh in our minds.

“We’re definitely looking to settle the score on their field.”

Dobson expects the race for the top eight to be more demanding than in previous seasons, with 14 or 15 teams capable of competing strongly.

He believes winning the URC will require toppling the likes of the Glasgow Warriors – who lifted the trophy two years ago – and back-to-back winners Leinster.

Last September, the Stormers beat an understrength Leinster 35-0, the first of eight straight wins before a mid-season wobble of three successive derby defeats.

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“You have to beat Leinster. We came hell of a close this year,” Dobson said. “Glasgow away [on 19 March next year], in our case, are a massive factor.

“Leinster is always going to be the team people wonder where they are at the end of the season. Somebody has to beat them to win the URC.

“If you log on to a sporting bet website now, I’m sure Leinster will be the favourites by some distance.”

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