Friday’s second Carling Currie Cup match kicks off at 19:05 SAST when the DHL Stormers XXIII host the defending champions, Suzuki Griquas, in Cape Town. The clash will mark a historic milestone as the home side rebrands from Western Province to play under the Stormers identity for the first time.
The DHL Stormers have a new head coach in Tom Dawson-Squibb. Having been involved with rugby in Cape Town via UCT, Western Province, and the Stormers since 2010, he will be keen to see his side start on a winning note at home.
It won’t be easy, though, as Griquas arrive at DHL Stadium as defending champions. Although they were just edged in the recent SA Cup final, their form book for 2026 shows they have lost only twice in 14 matches this season. This impressive run includes three strong performances in the Toyota Challenge against European opposition.
Last year, Suzuki Griquas beat the men from Cape Town comfortably in Kimberley, scoring seven tries to three in a 47-17 victory during their second-round encounter.
Still playing as Western Province in 2025, the Cape side had a tough season, winning only one game. Dawson-Squibb’s mandate will be to change that trajectory and turn them into playoff contenders. He could not have wished for a tougher start, and it will be interesting to see how the Capetonians respond to the expected physical challenge from their visitors on Friday evening.
Experienced flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis captains a new-look Stormers lineup that balances veteran leadership with an influx of fresh talent. There are six players in the matchday squad making their first-ever appearance in the competition: fullback Dylan Miller, wing Mfundo Ndhlovu, no.8 Wandile Mlaba, lock Tom Barnard, loose forward Xola Nyali and inside back Dominic Malgas.
Additionally, hooker Vernon Paulo, prop Hencus van Wyk, and scrumhalf Tiaan Fourie will be playing their first Carling Currie Cup match for the Stormers Rugby team.
Teams:
DHL Stormers XXIII: 15 Dylan Miller, 14 Gino Cupido, 13 Josh Boulle, 12 Cornel Smit, 11 Mfundo Ndhlovu, 10 Jean-Luc du Plessis (c), 9 Stefan Ungerer, 8 Wandile Mlaba, 7 Divan Fuller, 6 Keke Morabe, 5 Gerbrandt Grobler, 4 Tom Barnard, 3 Herman Lubbe, 2 Vernon Paulo, 1 Oli Kebble. Replacements: 16 Scarra Ntubeni, 17 Mhleli Khuzwayo, 18 Hencus van Wyk, 19 Dylan de Leeuw, 20 Enos Ndiao, 21 Xola Nyali, 22 Tiaan Fourie, 23 Dominic Malgas
Suzuki Griquas: 15 Gurswin Wehr, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Mnombo Zwelendaba, 12 Sako Makata, 11 Stefan Coetzee, 10 George Whitehead, 9 Bobby Alexander, 8 Dillon Smith, 7 Marco de Witt, 6 Carl Els, 5 Albert Liebenberg (c), 4 Malembe Mpofu, 3 IG Prinsloo, 2 Janco Uys, 1 Leon Lyons. Replacements: 16 Tiaan Lange, 17 Eddie Davids, 18 Ntobeko Shezi, 19 Derik Pretorius, 20 Lourens Oosthuizen, 21 Caleb Abrahams, 22 Damian Markus, 23 Cameron Hufke.