The DHL Stormers will start their 2023/24 Vodacom United Rugby Championship campaign in Johannesburg on Saturday, where they will face the Emirates Lions in a South African derby. The Round One encounter will kick off at 16h00 on Saturday at Emirates Airline Park.
The DHL Stormers were title winners in their first season in the Vodacom URC, losing finalists in their second, the Cape Town collective is likely to be a major force in the competition once again.
John Dobson’s team went out to prove that their win in the inaugural season was no flash in the pan, and they did that, finishing third on the overall log, only just behind the team they beat in the 2021/2022 semifinal, Ulster.
Fortunately, the DHL Cape Town Stadium surface has been relaid to a hybrid synthetic and grass surface that will suit the Stormers’ strength, which is their running game built around strong counter-attacking and transitioning defence into attack.
There were some encouraging performances in pre-season as they picked up wins against the SWD Eagles 64-26 and 57-12, and Hollywoodbets Sharks 26-21 in George, with the depth of the squad being tested across the three matches in two weeks. They had a proper test against the Hollywoodbets Sharks and scored five tries on their way to a hard-fought 26-21 pre-season win.
Salmaan Moerat was named as the captain for the 2023/2024 season, however, the loss of Springbok prop and DHL Stormers captain Steven Kitshoff will have a major test for the leadership at the DHL Stormers.
Player Movement
In: Sti Sithole (Emirates Lions), Lizo Gqoboka (Vodacom Bulls), Ben Loader (London Irish), Hendre Stassen (Unattached), Courtnall Skosan (Northampton Saints), Warrick Gelant (Racing 92).
Out: Steven Kitshoff (Ulster), Ernst van Rhyn (Sale Sharks), Marvin Orie (Perpignan), Kade Wolhuter (Emirates Lions, loan).