The Champions Cup's round-of-16 stage is here, and Stormers head coach John Dobson is gearing up for a high-intensity showdown against defending champions La Rochelle in Cape Town on Saturday. The Cape side earned home ground advantage after a strong performance in the pool phase, setting the stage for a challenging encounter with the French team. This will be their second meeting in the competition, with Stormers securing a close 21-20 victory in December. Dobson anticipates a tough Test match against the formidable champions.

The team heads into this match following a hard-fought 13-7 win against Ulster, which Dobson believes will help them prepare for the physical battle ahead. Despite the victory, Dobson acknowledges the need for improvement in their attacking game. Selections for the La Rochelle clash will be difficult, as Dobson faces the dilemma of choosing between physicality and attacking prowess.