DHL Stormers legend: Nic Groom

Nic Groom was an energetic scrumhalf who provided speed and accuracy from the base of the ruck for the DHL Stormers.

Groom rose through the provincial ranks to make 57 appearances for the DHL Stormers from 2011 to 2016, while earning 59 caps for DHL Western Province.

With strong ties to the region, Groom matriculated from Rondebosch Boys’ High before studying at the University of Cape Town, and was a key member of the FNB Ikey Tigers’ FNB Varsity Cup title win in 2011.

Groom made his DHL Stormers debut during the 2011 Super Rugby season, and the following year helped DHL WP win the Currie Cup as part of a solid half-back combination with Demetri Catrakilis.

Following Dewaldt Duvenage’s departure in 2013, Groom cemented his position as a DHL Stormers regular. He played a crucial role in DHL WP lifting the Currie Cup trophy in 2014, as well as aiding the DHL Stormers to home playoffs in the 2015 and 2016 Super Rugby campaigns.

A move north beckoned and after a final season with the DHL Stormers in 2016, Groom joined the Northampton Saints, where he helped the Gallagher Premiership club secure Investec Champions Cup qualification.

Groom had brief stints with Edinburgh and London Irish, following a return to the Republic with the Emirates Lions, before hanging his boots up at the end of 2021.

He returned to Cape Town and is now director of rugby at Wynberg Boys’ High, having also served as assistant coach at the University of Cape Town.

Groom’s DHL Stormers numbers

57 – The number of matches he played for the DHL Stormers from 2011 to 2016

5 – The number of tries he scored for the DHL Stormers