Kolisi And Kolbe Named In 56-Man 2026/27 Roster For Stormers

DHL Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has confirmed an impressive 56-man squad for the 2026/27 season as the Cape Town side prepares for what promises to be an extraordinary campaign.

Led by club captain Ruhan Nel, the squad that will fly the DHL Stormers flag in the Vodacom URC and Investec Champions Cup boasts serious firepower, with 17 internationals, including 15 Springboks, joined by 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 2021/22 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 continue to produce new Springboks. Paul de Villiers and Zachary Porthen have both burst onto the Test scene, earning their first Springbok caps after standout seasons for the DHL Stormers last year.

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 on the DHL Stormers jersey again this season.

There will be no easing into the campaign. The DHL Stormers open their season with a two-match Vodacom URC tour, taking on Connacht in Galway before heading to Edinburgh – a stern test on the road to kick things off.

The Stormers will then return to Cape Town for four consecutive matches at DHL Stadium that fans will not want to miss:

• 10 October: The first blockbuster of the season – a derby against the Hollywoodbets Sharks. The fixture has sold out in each of the past two seasons, and with Springboks back in the mix on both sides, another thrilling encounter is expected.
• Investec Champions Cup: The Stormers will face Bristol Bears in their opening fixture.
• Vodacom URC: Scarlets and Ulster will provide further tests in Cape Town.

Four matches. One unmissable October.

Tickets are available now at stormers.co.za.

Dobson believes this is the deepest DHL Stormers squad in recent seasons, in line with the stated aims of Project 2029.

“Last season, we fielded a team that had 1,569 DHL Stormers caps between them, which was the most in the history of the club and a marker that we want to build on as we seek to realise the goals of Project 2029.

“Given the experienced core we have who have stayed loyal to us for so long, the iconic players returning to the fold and the young talent coming through our system, we feel well positioned to build on last season, which saw us host play-off rugby in Cape Town and push some of the best club teams in the world in knockout matches on their home turf.

“We have a solid base of experienced players who form the backbone of the squad, with the intention to compete seriously on all fronts this season. We also have the talent pipeline in place, with the Stormers Rugby Institute continually developing players who are ready to step into the senior squad.

“We face a challenging start to the season, but after putting in the work in pre-season, this group is ready to represent our fans and we cannot wait to get started in Galway next week,” he said.

DHL Stormers 2026/27 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)