Dobson: Jonathan Roche Committed to Stormers 2026

John Dobson has had enough of the noise. The Stormers director of rugby came out swinging on Wednesday, dismissing speculation linking Jonathan Roche with a move to Irish rugby as "preposterous" and confirming the 23-year-old centre has already agreed to a contract extension in Cape Town.

Dobson Dismisses Ireland Transfer Speculation

Roche qualifies for Ireland through his paternal grandmother, and his agent Matt Norton had to publicly refute reports suggesting the former Bishops star was weighing up a move to the northern hemisphere. Norton confirmed his client's ambition is clear: stay in the Republic and chase Springbok honours. Roche is also eligible for Zimbabwe through his father's family — Norton revealed that Zimbabwe had approached him two years ago — but Dobson made plain that avenue is going nowhere either.

The immediate reason Roche misses Saturday's round-four United Rugby Championship fixture against the Scarlets at DHL Stadium is straightforward: concussion. Dobson was blunt about it. "We couldn't consider Jonny Roche because he's got a concussion," he said. "But how a story gets written that says he's considering Ireland when he's never considered anything else other than playing for the Stormers and South Africa."

Muller Steps Up as Roche Recovers from Concussion

With Roche sidelined, Markus Muller gets his first URC start for the Stormers alongside Wandisile Simelane in a new-look midfield. Dobson framed it as an opportunity rather than a problem. "We wanted to give Markus a game — he's only on 14 minutes against Glasgow — so it actually just works out perfectly for us," he said. The Stormers made 18 changes to their match-day 23 for the Scarlets clash, so the squad rotation runs deep.

Roche's credentials are not in question. He made his club debut at the end of 2024, scored two tries in the Stormers' 49-12 Investec Champions Cup demolition of Bristol Bears last weekend, and has already featured against the All Blacks during the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour. SA Rugby invited him to a Springbok alignment camp last year — early recognition that he is firmly on Rassie Erasmus's radar.

Roche Commits to Stormers and South Africa

"The fact that he's already been to an alignment camp is magic from SA Rugby," Dobson said. "It shows he's on the radar and this is where he wants to be. He's agreed to his extension. He's committed here. He wants to wear the green and gold like all these youngsters here. That is really smoke without any form of fire."

Stormers host the Scarlets at DHL Stadium on Saturday — the same Scarlets side that hammered Newcastle Red Bulls 47-14 in the Challenge Cup last weekend. Dobson's squad will need to be sharp, with or without their in-form centre.