Evan Roos is set to make his first appearance of the season for the DHL Stormers when they open their Investec Champions Cup campaign against Bristol Bears at DHL Stadium on Saturday. It is an important return for the Springbok loose forward, with John Dobson looking to keep momentum from last week’s win over the Hollywoodbets Sharks while also coping with the loss of Hacjivah Dayimani to concussion.
The Stormers will name their match-day squad at 14h00 on Friday, but the headline already sits with Roos. After returning from a hamstring injury, he gives the home side another powerful option as they begin a pool phase in which every point matters. Dobson made that clear, saying last season showed how important it is to collect points early in the competition and that home matches are crucial.
Dobson wants continuity and energy
There is a clear sense of continuity in the Stormers selection approach. Dobson said the squad has kept a fair amount of continuity as they try to build on the momentum from last week’s result, and the return of Roos fits that idea perfectly. He is a player who can change the rhythm of a game with his carrying, physicality and presence around the breakdown.
At the same time, the coach has had to absorb a setback. Hacjivah Dayimani is unavailable after concussion, which is a disappointment for a side trying to settle quickly into European competition. But Dobson’s point was that the Stormers can still call on Roos and the new front row, giving them enough experience and power to start strongly on home soil.
First meeting, familiar pressure
Saturday’s match is also notable because it will be the first-ever meeting between the DHL Stormers and Bristol Bears. That adds a little uncertainty, even if the Stormers will feel they know the pressure that comes with an Investec Champions Cup opener at home.
Dobson also pointed to Bristol’s ability to handle South African conditions, noting their notable victory at Loftus Versfeld last season. That should ensure the visitors arrive in Cape Town with confidence rather than caution, and it is one reason the Stormers cannot afford a flat start.
For the home side, though, the wider picture remains encouraging. They are coming off a win over the Hollywoodbets Sharks and, by Dobson’s own admission, the atmosphere created by the fans last week left a real impression on the team. If DHL Stadium delivers that same energy again, the Stormers will believe they have the platform to begin their pool campaign properly.
The squad announcement will confirm the final details on Friday, but the key storyline is already in place: Roos is back, Dayimani is out, and the Stormers now turn from local momentum to the demands of Europe.
