DHL Stormers celebrate the homecoming of a trio of Springboks superstars as they put the pressure on themselves to win the BKT URC title for a second time.
They welcomed back flanker Siya Kolisi, winger Cheslin Kolbe and stalwart prop Wilco Louw after spells with Hollywoodbets Sharks, Tokyo Sungoliath and Vodacom Bulls respectively.
As captain Ruhan Nel confirms, it is a real triple reinforcement for the ambitious team from Cape Town.
“It’s pretty well documented about their ability as rugby players, but I think if you look at the people we’re bringing back into our system, that’s actually the thing that stands out the most for me,” the veteran center said.
“I’ve had the pleasure of playing Sevens with Cheslin for a few tournaments and he’s exactly the same guy now as he was then and I think that speaks volumes for his character.
“We know Sia by her character and the influence she has on people South Africa and I know Wilco too.
“For me, the more better people you can get in the environment, I just believe you will have better rugby players.
“We’ve got three very big guys coming back, three Stormers men too. It’s very exciting.
“Besides what they bring to the field physically, just the type of people we’re going to have in the environment is also a huge plus for us.”
Adding his thoughts, director of rugby John Dobson said: “They are all multi-season Stormers. So there is a sense of coming home.”
“We’ve offered all our Springboks a week off next month and none of those three guys have taken up that right which is fantastic.
“It shows their commitment to the Stormers that they wanted to play every game.”
Dobson went on to talk about all three players individually.
Of two-time World Cup winner Springboks skipper Kolisi, he said: “He’s already invested thoroughly.
“He’s a guy we’d look at in all positions in the back row.
“We have three guys who have played six for South Africa this year in Siya, Deon Fourie and Paul de Villiers.
“With the way Siya has grown physically, he could play seven and eight for us.”
As for Louw, who started all four Tests in the recent Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand, he said: “Just looking at the damage he’s doing on the world stage now, he’s a massive acquisition for us.”
Kolbe, who has made 50 appearances this summer, will have his start to the campaign delayed after suffering a broken jaw against All black people in Johannesburg three weeks ago.
Dobson said: “It’s a bit of a shame that Cheslin won’t be playing the October games as we’ve been a bit light on the wings over the past season or two.
“It’s a big blow to be out for four weeks, but he’s got a long season after that.
“He’s huge for us in terms of what he brings as a player and to the community.”
The Stormers have also signed highly-rated young scrum-half Haashim Pead from 10Bet Lions as they prepare for their opening match against BKT URC Connacht Rugby in Galway this Friday.
“I’m very happy with the balance of the team,” said Dobson.
“We’ve worked quite a bit on our age distribution over the last few years.
“Our depth is definitely better than it was.
“If you look at the experience we have and the young people going through them, I think this is the best team we’ve made in the history of BKT URC.”
With this in mind, Dobson says the Stormers head into the league season with high hopes of repeating their triumph in 2022.
“That’s the most pressure we’ve been under in terms of what our own expectations are, not external pressure,” he said.
“I honestly think that it is the strongest team we have fielded, the most cohesion, the most games, so we have to put ourselves under pressure to try to win the BKT URC.
“Semifinal vs Leinster in Dublin last season she gave us a lot of hope. We came damn close, but came up short.
“We shouldn’t have played away. That’s because Cardiff, to their credit, beat us.
“We’re going to put ourselves under pressure to try and lift that trophy again. We’re not just here to participate. We really think we have a chance in this one.”
He continued: “As far as winning tournaments, the reality is there are some guys who are always there.
“You’ve got to beat Leinster. They’re always going to be the team people wonder where they are at the end of the season.”
“Someone has to beat them to win the BKT URC. It’s a challenge for the competition. I’m sure if you logged into a sports betting website right now, they’d be favorites by some distance.”
“So they’re a huge factor. It’s that game that determines where the trophy goes.”
“But there are teams that can do that, whereas before the BKT URC days it might have been an absolute understatement. That’s how I see it.”
Reflecting on June’s 20-11 play-off semi-final defeat by Leinster Rugby at the Aviva Stadium, captain Nel said: “That defeat is still fresh in our minds.
“I think the lessons were learned from that game, just seeing how we can perform in that hostile environment against the whole Irish team.
“Even though we lost, there was a real confidence that came out of the game that we were actually there.”
Looking ahead to the new campaign, Nel added: “This is a big opportunity for us.
“Hopefully we can start again like we had last season. It’s laying a pretty good foundation.”
