1 October 2026
Loose forward Hacjivah Dayimani has returned to the DHL Stormers with an expanded tactical arsenal. After a robust stint in the French Top 14 with Racing 92, the dynamic 29-year-old has aggressively refined the tighter, more physical facets of his game.
Dayimani's versatility gives head coach John Dobson a devastating utility weapon across the back row and out wide. Originally known for his blistering pace on the edges, his time in Europe forced him to graft hard in the trenches. He spent months grinding through heavy turf, absorbing the abrasive style of northern hemisphere rugby.
"France was where I realised there was part of my game where I have to show up more on," Dayimani noted. "In the competitions we play in, we get confronted by very different conditions and therefore game requirements."
The tireless eighthman seamlessly shifted to the wing against the All Blacks in August, underscoring his high-octane work rate. He then delivered a massive shift at No 8 during the Stormers' United Rugby Championship opener against Connacht. With star No 8, Evan Roos, currently sidelined by injury, Dayimani’s evolution into a true hybrid player couldn’t have come at a better time for the Cape franchise.
"I will play where the coach needs me and where the system needs me," said Dayimani. "I will happily cover six, seven or eight, and wing."
The Cape side now boasts an elite utility asset capable of crashing through defensive lines or covering defensive space out wide. As the gruelling URC campaign intensifies, Dayimani's dual-threat profile will be crucial for the Stormers' silverware ambitions.