Dobson explains why Clayton Blommetjies thrived as Gelant successor

Clayton Blommetjies is not a story of a shooting star, but rather of a player who is more akin to a Swiss army knife – versatile, dependable, always ready to step up where needed. His story is one of a triumphant return to the Western Province under the savvy leadership of DHL Stormers coach John Dobson.

Known for seeing the rugby pitch as a giant chessboard, Dobson recognised a king in Blommetjies, a player who had spent most of his career acting as a rook or a bishop.

Blommetjies was a man willing to say, “Coach, use me where you need me, whether it’s the DHL Stormers in the BKT United Rugby Championship or Western Province in the Currie Cup, whether it’s a full 80 or the last gasping eight. I’m your man.”

WATCH as former Springbok captain Jean de Villiers explains why the current Stormers team is so much more successful that during his time with the Cape Town franchise

WATCH as former Springbok captain Jean de Villiers explains why the current Stormers team is so much more successful that during his time with the Cape Town franchise

To appreciate Blommetjies’s journey to Saturday’s URC grand final against Munster at Cape Town’s DHL Stadium, you have to go back to the off-season when Dobson eyed Blommetjies as a successor to Warrick Gelant.

Blommetjies didn’t just fill Gelant’s boots, he wore them like they were tailor-made. Thirteen starts out of sixteen BKT URC matches, six tries, and two conversions to boot – that is a stat line that would make any coach grin.

"What happened wasn’t intentional. I was just trying to get up and get back into play"

The at times misunderstood @evanroos4 opens up to @heagneyl 👨‍💻 about the Boks, Vermeulen, leaving the Sharks, nearly quitting rugby & what really makes him tickhttps://t.co/sbPMqZrtlq

— RugbyPass (@RugbyPass) May 7, 2023

He also dipped his toes into the Heineken Champions Cup, starting two matches out of four, and represented Western Province in the Currie Cup. Blommetjies is a player for all seasons, as happy to take the field in Cape Town as in Bloemfontein, in Welkom against the Griffons or on Saturday in the URC final.

Ever the appreciative coach, Dobson acknowledged Blommetjies’ value. “Clayton was the closest we would get to what Warrick had given us in strike power,” he confessed. It wasn’t just Blommetjies’ speed, but his mindset, his quick melding with fly-half Manie Libbok that impressed Dobson. “They both have a similar attacking mindset and they both gelled very quickly with Manie as our No10.”

Blommetjies’ homecoming to Western Province and the Stormers is more than just a tale of rejuvenation. It’s a testament to a culture, a mantra of ‘team before self’ that echoes through the DHL Stadium. Here is a player who, as Dobson puts it, “was particularly impressive with his all-round game, his composure, and the experience from playing 200 professional matches”.

Blommetjies’ story isn’t just his own; it reflects the ethos of an entire squad. “We are a team made up of so many players from this region, some who have been in the professional system since they became seniors and others, who were schooled in the Western Cape, left and have come back,” Dobson said, adding, “It speaks volumes for what we are achieving as a squad where youngsters want to stay, and more senior players want to return.”

So, here’s to Blommetjies – a man willing to step into the fray wherever he is needed, epitomising the very essence of the Stormers’ spirit. As for his future? Whether he starts or finishes is at Dobson’s behest. The only certainty is that he will be ready.