Whilst the DHL Stormers have already opened their 2012 campaign when they defeated the Hurricanes 39-26 on Saturday, the DHL WP side are still building towards the start of the Vodacom Cup season in just under 2 weeks time.

The team enjoyed a warm up victory over the GWK Griquas on Saturday and coach John Dobson is happy with the side’s build up to the new season. He said: “Preparations have been very good. We have had our players back earlier than usual, as they came back with the Stormers team eventhough our competition starts later. We had a fantastic camp in Hermanus a few weeks ago, which was really beneficial to the squad and I am very happy with how things are shaping up for the new campaign.”

As is normally the case John Dobson has seen his squad change considerably from last season, with several players moving up into the DHL Stormers squad. The coach, however is very encouraged by some of the fantastic talent he has at his disposal: “We have brilliant guys who have joined us in 2012. Guys from UCT’s Varsity Cup winning side like Nick Fenton-Wells and Demitri Catrakilis are new to the Vodacom side. We have also drafted in some wonderful talent that Jerome Paarwater identified from club rugby. It is very exciting to see the talent coming through from guys like Douglas Edrick-Arendse so it is very pleasing.

“In addition we also have a nice blend of experience in the squad. Guys who are coming back from injury who are usually in the Stormers set up like Wicus Blaauw and Deon Carstens so we have a nice mix in the team.”

Looking ahead to this season’s Vodacom Cup, Dobson knows it is going to be a tough ask for his team. He said: “The Southern division is extremely competitive. We have the Pampas from Argentina who are the defending champions, The Kings who have plenty to prove ahead of their debut Super Rugby season next year, our local rivals Boland, Cheetahs, Sharks, Border and the Eagles so it is going to be really challenging throughout the campaign.

“We know it is going to be difficult, but we will go all out to win the Vodacom Cup. We were disappointed last season after going the entire league campaign undefeated only to lose in the playoffs, so we want to improve and go all the way in 2012. Of course our main priority is to develop the fantastic young talent we have in the province, but that will not stop us for going all out to win.”

The DHL WP side kick off their campaign on Saturday 10 March at DHL Newlands against the Boland Kavaliers. Make sure you get behind our boys as they look to bring the Vodacom Cup to the Cape.