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 up 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.
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)
