Joseph Dweba, a hooker for the Stormers, says that coach John Dobson’s support motivates him to improve as the season progresses.
This season, Dweba has scored four tries and started 11 of 12 matches for the Stormers in all competitions since joining the inaugural United Rugby Championship champions from French Top 14 side Bordeaux-Begles.
The front-row powerhouse experienced a difficult season with limited playing time at Bordeaux in 2022/23, but the 27-year-old attributes his red-hot form to the unwavering backing of his new teammates and the Stormers’ management.
Before I signed, Dobbo gave me the confidence that he fully supports me, and it’s one of the reasons I came back to South Africa to play for him, said Dweba.
“He was aware that things weren’t going so well while I was in France, but he said he knows the type of player I am, the standards I have, and the level of player I am, as well as what he sees in me.
“This support is evident now, and I am quite grateful… It is simply wonderful to me.”
DWEBA APPRECIATES PLAYING WITH STORMERS VETERANS: Dweba also enjoys competing against elite opponents as a member of a tough Stormers pack that includes world-class props Steven Kitshoff and Frans Malherbe.
“We have a very talented group of players in South Africa, so I’m simply delighted that we can showcase our talent abroad, competing against the top players in the world, which helps us as players.
He continued, “We wouldn’t be the solid front row that we are without our back five, and ultimately, it’s an eight-man effort in the pack, with the reserves coming on, and with the backline as well. In reality, it’s all 23 of us.”
After Sunday’s bonus-point victory over London Irish in Brentford, the Stormers need just one point from Saturday’s rematch with ASM Clermont Auvergne in Pool A to clinch their first-ever playoff position in the competition.
Dweba’s familiarity with the French scrum culture will help the Stormers achieve a notable victory in Cape Town and extract retribution for their first-round loss in Clermont.
“Discipline cost us a bit, and we ended up losing the game, but it gave us confidence that we can compete with foreign teams, particularly French teams,” Dweba added.
“Yes, we lost, but it was due to our own errors, and maybe we can correct them this weekend and continue to improve.
“Before we played Clermont, I warned them that the French are really proud of their scrums… huge boys, big ball carriers… extremely passionate. But if you look at the first half against Clermont, we actually held them off; we were in the game until the 60th minute or so.
“However, from what I can tell, and Deon Fourie was also present, we informed the players of everything to expect.
“We’re thrilled to be back in the sun and playing in front of our home fans. We greatly missed them throughout our two-week absence,” Dweba concluded.
»Dweba is prepared to raise his game to a new level against the Stormers’ top Springboks«