DHL Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has confirmed an impressive 56-man squad for the 26/27 season as they stand on the brink of what is shaping to be an extraordinary campaign.
Led by club captain Ruhan Nel, the squad assembled to fly the DHL Stormers flag in the Vodacom URC and Investec Champions Cup this season boasts serious firepower – 17 internationals, including 15 Springboks line up alongside four history-makers from the Junior Springboks’ championship-winning side earlier this year.
This is not a squad that was built overnight. Eighteen players from the famous 21/22 Vodacom URC title-winning campaign remain part of the group – a powerful statement of continuity and the playing group’s commitment to the club.
The blue and white hoops keep producing new Springboks. Paul de Villiers and Zachary Porthen have both burst onto the Test scene, earning their first Springbok caps off the back of stand-out form for the DHL Stormers last season.
Some of the biggest names in South African rugby are coming home too. Siya Kolisi (118 DHL Stormers caps), Wilco Louw (52 caps) and Cheslin Kolbe (49 caps) are back in Cape Town and will all pull the DHL Stormers jersey back on this season.
There is no easing in. The DHL Stormers open the season with a two-match Vodacom URC tour, taking on Connacht in Galway before heading to Edinburgh – a true test on the road to kick things off.
Then it is back to Cape Town for four consecutive matches at DHL Stadium that fans won’t want to miss.
– 10 October – the first blockbuster of the season: a derby against the Hollywoodbets Sharks. Sold out for the last two seasons running, and with Springboks back in the mix on both sides, expect fireworks.
– Investec Champions Cup opener against Bristol Bears.
– Vodacom URC clashes against Scarlets and Ulster.
Four matches. One unmissable October. Tickets are available now at stormers.co.za.
Dobson believes this is the deepest DHL Stormers squad in recent seasons, in line with the stated aims of Project 2029.
“Last season, we fielded a team that had 1,569 DHL Stormers caps between them, which was the most in the history of the club and a marker that we want to build on as we seek to realise the goals of Project 2029.
“Given the experienced core we have who have stayed loyal to us for so long, the iconic players returning to the fold and the young talent coming through our system, we feel well-positioned to build on last season, which saw us host play-off rugby in Cape Town and push some of the best club teams in the world in knock-out matches on their home turf.
“We have a solid base of experienced players who form the backbone of the squad, with the intention to compete seriously on all fronts this season, while we also have the talent pipeline in place, with the Stormers Rugby Institute continually developing players that are ready to step into the senior squad.
“We face a challenging start to the season, but after putting in the work in pre-season this group is ready to represent our fans and we cannot wait to get started in Galway next week,” he said.
DHL Stormers 26/27 squad (DHL Stormers caps in brackets)
* denotes under-21 players
Props
Neethling Fouché (114), Oli Kebble (57), Sazi Sandi (52), Wilco Louw (52), Vernon Matongo (22), Ntuthuko Mchunu (19), Zachary Porthen (15), Hencus van Wyk (2), Herman Lubbe* (1), Olly Reid* (1)
Hookers
André-Hugo Venter (89), JJ Kotzé (58), Lukhanyo Vokozela (4), Vernon Paulo (0), Luca Bakkes (0)
Locks
JD Schickerling (74), Adré Smith (69), Connor Evans (40), Gary Porter (19), Riley Norton* (0)
Loose Forwards
Deon Fourie (141), Siya Kolisi (118), Marcel Theunissen (95), Evan Roos (87), Ben-Jason Dixon (86), Hacjivah Dayimani (64), Paul de Villiers (36), Keke Morabe (19), Louw Nel (13), Ruan Ackermann (10), Wandile Mlaba* (2), Divan Fuller* (0)
Scrumhalves
Stefan Ungerer (47), Imad Khan (18), Cobus Reinach (9), Ezekiel Ngobeni (0), Jayden Brits* (0)
Flyhalves
Jean-Luc du Plessis (61), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (53), Jurie Matthee (29), Yaqeen Ahmed* (1), Kyle Smith* (0)
Centres
Ruhan Nel (90), Wandisile Simelane (41), Jonathan Roche (16), Markus Muller* (1), Josh Boulle (0)
Wings
Leolin Zas (99), Seabelo Senatla (74) Cheslin Kolbe (49), JC Mars* (3), Mfundo Ndhlovu (1), Joel Leotlela (0), Gino Cupido* (0)
Fullbacks
Damian Willemse (118), Warrick Gelant (77)
