After a 10-match unbeaten run at the start of last season, the Stormers’ 2025/26 campaign. she finished with a whimper, finishing third in the United Rugby Championship before losing in the semi-finals to Leinster and painfully loses from Toulon in Investec Champions Cup Round of 16.
It was a season that promised a lot and delivered nothing. But the Cape Town outfit have been busy finding ways to fix that, bringing in a glut of South African superstars.
It’s hard to choose which Springbok arrival will have the biggest impact: national captain and talisman Siya Kolisi? A flawless Cheslin Kolbe? Or the most destructive stiff on the planet, Wilco Louw? Moreover, there are several Springboks who have come of age in the past year, which only strengthens their squad compared to last year.
The real question is how much game time will the Stormers’ 15 Springboks get in their newly announced 56-man squad this season with the World Cup a year away? Rassie Erasmus will surely insist his stars are not overworked after a 3-1 series win in Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry and ahead of a busy year.
But it’s hard to disagree with director of rugby John Dobson, who said his side are “well placed to build on last season” after naming his squad.
He said: “Last season we played a team that had 1,569 DHL Stormers caps between them, which was the highest in the club’s history and a mark we want to build on as we strive to realize the goals of Project 2029.
“Given the experienced core we have, who have remained loyal to us for a long time, the legendary players returning to the bench and the young talent coming through our system, we feel well placed to build on last season, which saw us host the rugby play-offs in Cape Town and push some of the best club teams in the world in knockout games on home soil.
“We have a solid base of experienced players who form the backbone of the team, with the intention of competing seriously on all fronts this season, while we also have a pipeline of talent and the Stormers Rugby Institute is continuously developing players who are ready to break into the senior team.”
The Stormers mean business, so here’s how their squad rates (*denotes U21 players):
Loosehead props: Oli Kebble (57), Vernon Matongo (22), Ntuthuko Mchunu (19), Olly Reid* (1)
One player in the twilight of his career, the 34-year-old ex Scotland international Kebble, one at the start, 2026 World Junior Rugby World Cup winner Reid, and two in between is not a bad balance, although they may be a bit thin on the ground with loose heads. But having two internationals, including Bok prop with three caps in Mchunu, is not to be sniffed at. Rating: 7/10
Tighthead props: Neethling Fouché (114), Sazi Sandi (52), Wilco Louw (52), Zachary Porthen (15), Hencus van Wyk (2), Herman Lubbe* (1)
You’d be hard-pressed to find a better set of solid props at any club in the world. Louw is fresh from marmalizing All black people‘ scrum, 22-year-old Porthen has already earned seven Springbok caps in the past year and Erasmus clearly likes the look, with one-cap Bok Fouché a feature for the Stormers on the right side of the scrum. Those three can rotate nicely, but even then, the three backups provide a nice mix of youth and experience. Beware of any loose heads facing the Stormers. Rating: 10/10
Whores: André-Hugo Venter (89), JJ Kotzé (58), Lukhanyo Vokozela (4), Vernon Paulo (0), Luca Bakkes (0)
It looks like dual-cap Bok Venter will be wearing the No. 2 jersey heading into the season, and while it appears Dobson doesn’t have many options behind him, the picture doesn’t look too bad when winger Deon Fourie can also be used as an option. The soon-to-be 40-year-old could be used sparingly this year with the World Cup in mind. Rating: 6/10
Locks: JD Schickerling (74), Adré Smith (69), Connor Evans (40), Gary Porter (19), Riley Norton* (0)
The Stormers have been hit hard by the departures of Springboks Salmaan Moerat and Ruben van Heerden, who have joined La Rochelle and Montpellier, as well as Alex Groves. They have now run out of Test options in the engine room, save for Zimbabwe’s three-wicket haul Porter, although Ben-Jason Dixon can move into the second row. On the other hand, this is a ‘watch this space’ area, as if Junior Springboks captain Norton continues his meteoric rise over the next year, the second row might not look too bad. Rating: 6.5/10
Back rows: 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 Full (13), Ruan Ackermann (20), M. Ackermann (20). (0)
Kolisi’s arrival took an already stacked back row up a level or several levels. Dobson now has five Springboks to choose from, as well as some high quality uncapped options in Theunissen, Dayimani and Ackermann. Since last season, de Villiers has become a Springbok and has started his Test career with flying colours. He will battle it out with Kolisi for the No. 6 jersey for club and country. The player profile also means the Stormers can play different back rows depending on the opposition or how they want to play. Stacked. Rating: 9/10
Scrum-half: Stefan Ungerer (47), Imad Khan (18), Cobus Reinach (9), Ezekiel Ngobeni (0), Jayden Brits* (0)
The Stormers learned the hard way last season when Reinach was injured that their reserve was not up to par. Although the 22-year-old Khan is getting better and better, this problem could arise again this season, especially if the 36-year-old Reinach is rested or suffers another injury. Even worse, the retirement of Dewaldt Duvenage and the transfer of Asad Moos to the Lions they just reduced Dobsonian options. Rating: 7/10
Fly-halves: Jean-Luc du Plessis (61), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (53), Jurie Matthee (29), Yaqeen Ahmed* (1), Kyle Smith* (0).
Much like the halves, the Stormers struggled when Feinberg-Mngomezulu picked up an ankle injury at the end of last season. There is quite a gap between the Springbok and his assistants, although this is perhaps inevitable given the fact that he is one of the best players on the planet. If he stays fit, the Stormers are in for a good season. Another injury and things could go pear shaped. Rating: 7.5/10
Centers: Ruhan Nel (90), Vandisile Simelane (41), Jonathan Roche (16), Markus Muller* (1), Josh Boulle (0)
The Stormers midfield appears to be lacking in both star power and depth, which appears to be a concern at first. However, if Damian Willemse were to fill in at midfield, things would look completely different. But a determined Dan du Plessis’ move to Bordeaux-Begles and Suleiman Hartzenberg’s move to Sharks have left them worn out if they are to compete on all fronts. Then again, as in other positions, there is a lot of potential there with teenager Muller, who made his debut in goal South Africa And against Zimbabwe in June. Rating: 6/10
Wings: Leolin Zas (99), Seabelo Senatla (74), Cheslin Kolbe (49), JC Mars* (3), Elephant Donkey (1), Joel Wheel (0), Gino Cupido* (0)
The Stormers brought in Dylan Maart last season on loan to add more depth on the wing, but still found themselves struggling to find cover on the wing at times, often playing players out of position. It’s not a bad move to alleviate that problem by bringing in Kolbe, perhaps the best winger in the world right now, who will compete with Zas and Senatl for a spot on either flank. After these three, there is a dramatic drop in experience but huge potential with their other options, led by 21-year-old JC Mars – dubbed ‘the next Cheslin Kolbe’ – who could enjoy a breakout season. Rating: 8/10
Backs: Damian Willemse (118), Warrick Gelant (77)
Willemse, of course, needs no introduction, and his deputy Gelant is another World Cup-winning Springbok, although not of the same caliber as the current full-back under Erasmus. Both can fill the back line, and there aren’t really any concerns about depth as both Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Kolbe were at full-back against the All Blacks during the RGR series. Rating: 8.5/10
Overall rating: 76/100
Transfers
in: Wilco Louw (Bulls), Siya Kolisi (Sharks), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath).
out: Corné Weilbach (Saracen), Siyabonga Ntubeni (retired), Ruben van Heerden (Montpellier), Salmaan Moerat (La Rochelle), Alex Groves (Scarlets), Dewald Duvenage (retired), Asad Moos (Lions), Dan du Plessis (Bordeaux), Suleiman Mallsharks (Bordeaux), Suleiman Mallsharks (Bullshartzenberg).
