Latest news with #JohnDobson
Time Out
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Time Out
Van Coke, Kitshoff and Dobbo walk into a bar
It's not every day that a sleepy Klein Karoo town hosts a gathering of musicians, World Cup-winning Springboks, magicians and broadcasters, but that's exactly what's on the cards as the third annual 5 Arts Weekend returns to the Karoo Art Hotel in Barrydale from 18-20 July 2025. This festival is loosely geared around the theme 'The Art of...', with a host of talented South Africans hitting the road to Barrydale in aid of a good cause. The weekend kicks off on Friday night with an intimate concert in the hotel's gallery theater by Francois van Coke for 'The Art of Music'. Rugby takes center stage on Saturday with 'The Art of Rugby – Insight & Analysis', a more informal 'fireside chat' on professional rugby preparation with John Dobson, head coach of the DHL Stormers, and Steven Kitshoff, Springbok stalwart and scrummaging master. Leading the conversation will be CapeTalk host John Maytham. On Saturday evening, guests will also gather to watch the Springboks take on Georgia, with commentary, banter and braai flavor in full supply. Other highlights include 'The Art of Magic', with comedic illusionist Peter G, and 'The Art of Beer', hosted by Kitshoff; co-founder of Bomb Squad beer. Expect tastings, tales, and a celebration of South Africa's craft beer culture. But the weekend is about more than entertainment. It's become an important community upliftment initiative, supporting local rugby clubs The Stryders and Flying Eagles, who celebrate their 75th anniversary this year. With over 60 percent unemployment in the area, sport is a powerful force for good, and thanks to proceeds from past events, the teams now have new kit, improved facilities, and a growing youth program. This year's goal: new boots and more equipment. Along with Dobson and Co. contributing their time and talent, the weekend is made possible by Rick and Sue Melville, owners of the Karoo Art Hotel, whose deep local ties and commitment to Barrydale help drive the weekend's fundraising efforts.
News24
24-06-2025
- Sport
- News24
Stormers add to loose forward stocks with signing of Ruan Ackermann
The Stormers have signed Ruan Ackermann from English club Gloucester to strengthen their loose forward options for the 2025/26 season. Stormers director of rugby John Dobson praised Ackermann's work ethic and is confident he will excel and become a fan favourite. Ackermann expressed his excitement for his new challenge, pledging full commitment to contributing positively to the Stormers' success. For more URC news, visit our dedicated section. The Stormers announced the signing of Ruan Ackermann on Tuesday, bolstering their stocks at loose forward for the 2025/26 season. Ackermann returns to South Africa after playing for Gloucester in the English Premiership, where he made over 170 appearances for the club. He is one of several new additions for the Cape-based franchise, who earlier this year announced the arrival of Springboks Cobus Reinach (scrumhalf) and Ntuthuko Mchunu (prop) for next season. Stormers director of rugby John Dobson was delighted with the addition of the powerful loose forward to his squad. 'Ruan is a proven performer who puts in the kind of hard work that our game model requires. Our fans can expect complete commitment from him for every minute he spends in our jersey,' he said. 'We are very excited to see the impact he will make here, and I'm confident that he will become a firm favourite at DHL Stadium.' 🫡 We will welcome all-action loose forward @RuanAckermann to the fold next season. #iamastormer — DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) June 24, 2025 Ackermann said he was looking forward to a new chapter in his career, adding that he was committed to giving everything for his new franchise. 'The support for rugby in Cape Town is second to none and there are obviously some incredible players and coaches there, so I am looking forward to what should be an exciting new journey for me and my family. 'I'm ready to give everything I have to the cause and make a positive contribution in any way I can as part of what will be a strong squad next season.' The Stormers start their URC campaign on Friday, 26 September, against defending champions Leinster in Cape Town. Show Comments ()
The South African
04-06-2025
- Business
- The South African
Springboks (Signings & Exits): SEVEN player movements
A total of seven Springboks are linked with big moves both IN and OUT of South Africa. Being a Springboks rugby player certainly has it's perks. Following back-to-back Rugby World Cup victories, Bok stars are now even more sought-after than ever before. So, Let's take a look at the capped Springboks linked with big moves to new clubs both in and out of SA. Handre Pollard, Cobus Reinach and Marvin Orie are all set to return home. Back to South Africa. The Rugby World Cup winning Springboks trio are all involved with massive deals with local United Rugby Championship outfits. Namely, the Bulls and Stormers. Pollard has signed a huge deal that will see him return to the Bulls next season. Meanwhile, Reinach has signed a deal with John Dobson's Stormers. He will start playing for the Cape-based side at the start of the 2025/26 season. Finally, Orie is set to join the Bulls next season. Meanwhile, Edwill Van Der Merwe has signed for the Sharks ahead of next season. Manie Libbok, Joseph Dweba and Herschel Jantjies are all set to leave the Stormers and SA at the end of the season. 'Scrumhalves Herschel Jantjies and Paul de Wet are heading to Bayonne in France and the Bulls respectively, while hooker Joseph Dweba departs for English Premiership side Exeter Chiefs, ' the insider stated on The Citizen. Meaning, three capped Boks are set to start new ventures abroad. Libbok has been linked with a sabbatical and a potential loan move to Japan. Meanwhile, both Dweba and Jantjies are going to ply their trade abroad next season. 'Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok, with Director of Rugby John Dobson confirming after the Glasgow loss that he was on his way out with the others, but with no confirmation on what sort of deal,' he added. However, Libbok will likely be loaned out and come back to the Stormers. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
TimesLIVE
02-06-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Stormers bullied by physical Glasgow, says Dobson
The Stormers were bullied when they crashed to a heavy 36-18 defeat against Glasgow Warriors in a United Rugby Championship (URC) quarterfinal clash, coach John Dobson said. In the aftermath of a devastating loss at Scotstoun Stadium on Friday, a perplexed Dobson said he did not know how his team would be able to fix their inability to dominate the gain line. The victory kept Glasgow's hopes of lifting back-to-back URC titles alive after they beat the Bulls 21-16 in the 2024 final at Loftus Versfeld Stadium. 'We were bullied physically, everything went wrong, and they put us under pressure,' Dobson said. 'To get so well beaten is disappointing and it was probably our worst game of the season. Things such as the line-outs and technical stuff we can fix and we also lost the technical battle and we can work on that.
The Citizen
02-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Dobson finds silver linings in disappointing end to Stormers' season
John Dobson was left hunting for the positives after the Stormers were dumped out of the URC knockouts by Glasgow Warriors. Stormers coach John Dobson was left hunting for silver linings after their heavy URC quarterfinal defeat to Glasgow Warriors over the past weekend. Picture: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson was left hunting for silver linings after a dreadful end to their United Rugby Championship (URC) season, with a heavy quarterfinal defeat to defending champions, Glasgow Warriors. Heading into the match the Stormers were on a terrific run of form, having won six of their last seven pool matches, including a four game winning streak, while Glasgow were in poor form, having lost three straight games. In the pre-match presser Dobson touted the feel-good feeling in the squad, and said that they were extremely confident, admitting that they would be disappointed to not get over the line. In the end it wasn't even close, as Glasgow hit the front in the ninth minute and never looked back, as they cruised to a comfortable 36-18 win in the end, setting themselves up with a massive semi against Leinster, who were made to work in their 33-21 quarterfinal win over Scarlets. Reflecting on the match Dobson said that Seabelo Senatla, who scored the team's only two tries, and their impressive scrum performance were the only real positives they could take from the game. Silver linings 'Our scrum and Seabelo were the two silver linings to a very dark cloud, and some of the youngsters coming through. Youngster like Paul (de Villiers) will be better for the experience. In terms of broadening our depth, we've had a good season,' said Dobson. 'What worried me (in the match), I felt like we didn't win the gainline. We can fix the lineout or the kicking plan, it just worried me a little bit that we didn't dominate the collisions as much as I'd like to have. But to fade off like we did tonight (Friday) is disappointing. 'I think we weren't far off getting ourselves into fourth (on the log), despite everything that happened over the season. The growth in terms of the squad, and our scrum culture is superb. That gives me a lot of reason for optimism.' Dobson highlighted their misfiring lineout and poor defensive showing as major reasons for their heavy defeat, and lamented the fact that they saved one of their most dreadful performances in recent times for their knockout. 'We'd been going 90% lineouts for the last four games, then suddenly dropped in the 70s. We dropped down to giving away 17 line breaks, dropped down to 65% tackle completion, which is a credit to Glasgow (in terms of) how they attacked,' explained Dobson. 'But we kept our worst performance probably in a couple of years for a knockout game, which is really disappointing.' The Stormers now take a break before some of the players get back together for the Currie Cup kicking off in late July.
