Try GOLD - Free
Return of Nel gives Dobson selection options as he ponders Leicester visit
Cape Times
|January 15, 2026
IF THE Stormers’ confidence took a knock after shipping 61 points in London at the weekend, the return of the steely Ruhan Nel will not only inject calmness but also give John Dobson vital selection options ahead of Saturday's Champions Cup clash with Leicester Tigers in Cape Town.
STORMERS assistant coach Dawie Snyman.
(Backpagepix)
The coach saw his backline reserves depleted by injury in the first half of the season, and Nel - who was at the helm of the side when impressive victories were notched up overseas - has been sorely missed for his leadership, notably on defence.
With Nel back at outside centre, Dobson may well ponder moving Wandisile Simelane to fullback, where Warrick Gelant has been some way off his best. Simelane performed solid duty in the position while Gelant was injured.
This story is from the January 15, 2026 edition of Cape Times.
Subscribe to Magzter GOLD to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 10,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
MORE STORIES FROM Cape Times
Cape Times
Western Cape Flood Disaster: 10 dead, nearly 90 000 displaced
RESIDENTS in the Western Cape are now picking up the pieces after adverse weather battered the province, resulting in 10 deaths and nearly 90,000 people displaced.
2 mins
May 15, 2026
Cape Times
Capital Hotel Group bets on Gqeberha growth with R270m tourism investment
TOURISM AND HOSPITALITY
1 mins
May 15, 2026
Cape Times
Dobson: We blew it last week, but must put it right against Cardiff
THE Stormers have made peace with the fact that they are unlikely to overtake Glasgow at the top of the United Rugby Championship as the competition enters its final round this weekend.
2 mins
May 15, 2026
Cape Times
A playbook for the 2026 local government elections
WHEN President Cyril Ramaphosa stood before an audience in Ekurhuleni on April 30 and announced that South Africa would go to the polls on November 4, he said something every political party should tattoo on its campaign wall: “The race has started, and people will do the best they can.”
5 mins
May 15, 2026
Cape Times
Summit to cement India-Africa partnership
NEW Delhi will host the fourth edition of the India-Africa Forum Summit on May 31.
3 mins
May 15, 2026
Cape Times
Africa's migration disaster is a leadership crisis
AFRICA'S migration debate has reached a fever pitch, and understandably so.
5 mins
May 15, 2026
Cape Times
Investment in renewable energy, data centres falls short on job creation: Ramaphosa
President defends the outcomes of the 6th South Africa Investment Conference, which secured R890 billion in pledges
3 mins
May 15, 2026
Cape Times
Jacob Zuma must face arms deal charges without further delays
FORMER president Jacob Zuma and his co-accused had to immediately prepare for the start of the long-overdue arms deal trial after the Pietermaritzburg High Court ruled on Thursday in favour of the State that the two should stop deliberately delaying the matter.
1 mins
May 15, 2026
Cape Times
A treasure hunt for memories and perhaps something much more
IF YOU’VE ever found yourself caught up in the frenetic energy of a rivalry that runs deeper than a simple contest, then you might just find solace in Liz Maverick’s audiobook, Still Mad About You.
2 mins
May 15, 2026
Cape Times
TOLASHE SACKED, BUT WHAT ABOUT MCHUNU?
Ramaphosa fires Sisisi Tolashe as pressure mounts over Senzo Mchunu and wider Cabinet accountability
3 mins
May 15, 2026
Listen
Translate
Change font size