Head coach John Dobson said the DHL Stormers took plenty of experience and a good workout from their exhibition win against Northampton Saints on Saturday.

In the first-ever meeting between the two teams, the Stormers scored seven tries to claim a 45-29 victory at cinch Stadium at Franklin’s Gardens.

Junior Pokomela scored a brace of tries while Wandisile Simelane, Keke Morabe, Stefan Ungerer, Connor Evans and Hacjivah Dayimani also dotted down for the visitors. Morabe, though, injured his knee in the first half and is a concern.

The Stormers face Edinburgh in Cape Town on March 23 when the Vodacom URC resumes next week, and tackle Ulster seven days later, before a rematch with La Rochelle in the Champions Cup round of 16.

Quoted post-match after the clash, Dobson highlighted the mood in the camp ahead of the upcoming busy period.

“I know it is not the same competition or level of importance, but it was a very good experience … a happy change room,” he said.

“That is important, as we tackle what is going to be a very tough couple of weeks. We are very pleased with the experience and the outcome.

“For us to get that outcome [win] and play as we did – the fluency, attack, attacking kicks and turnovers – was very pleasing.”

“It is one of the bastions of English rugby – a rugby town with proud traditions,” he added. “Happy to get the win, after they came back at us. We managed to take it away nicely at the end.

“Our intensity and work rate were impressive and it was very special for us.”