WATCH | Stormers coach John Dobson emotional as mother, 84, surprises him at training

Stormers head coach John Dobson was caught off guard by the arrival of his mother, Margaret, at the team's captain's run at Cape Town Stadium on Friday.

Mrs. Dobson, 84, walked out at a cavernous stadium - it will be brimming with an expected 55 000 fans on Saturday - to hand over the United Rugby Championship Trophy Crown to her son, who is looking to win a second consecutive URC title when they host Munster in the final.

At first unaware until the faces of his players, one after the other, lit up with smiles at the unobtrusive entrance, Dobson's team talk was stopped in its tracks as it dawned on him just who was approaching.

Dobson was visibly moved as he embraced his mum in a touching moment, while Mrs. Dobson appeared quite delighted at successfully executing the motherly ambush.

READ: Stormers 'desperate' ahead of historic final in front of 55 000: 'The city has embraced rugby' 

Dobson's father, Paul, a revered referee, journalist and author of among other books The Official History of South African Rugby and Doc: An Autobiography of Danie Craven, who also served on the Western Province Rugby council for 15 years, died in 2020 at the age of 83.

Whether successful or not in his bid to defend the European title on Saturday, Dobson, in his own right, can be regarded as a fine servant of rugby in the Western Cape, particularly for the remarkable success he has achieved at the Stormers in the last two seasons, despite administrative strife at the union.

Kick-off on Saturday is at 18:30.