Dobson Praises Kolisi’s Leadership After Connacht Win
The DHL Stormers may have opened their United Rugby Championship campaign with a hard-fought bonus-point victory over Connacht, but for many supporters watching on Friday night, the biggest talking point was the presence of an iconic figure in Stormers colours.
Springbok captain Siya Kolisi was back with his former club and, although he did not take the field in Galway, his presence around the team made an immediate impression.
Kolisi returned to Cape Town during the off-season after leaving the Hollywoodbets Sharks, marking a homecoming to the club where his professional career began.
The 35-year-old made his Stormers debut in 2012 and went on to make 118 appearances for the Cape club before moving to the Sharks and later Racing 92. He was appointed Stormers captain in 2017 before taking over the Springbok captaincy the following year.
His return is part of the Stormers’ wider rebuilding project, with the Cape club also bringing Springbok stars Cheslin Kolbe and Wilco Louw back to the Mother City for the 2026/27 season.
However, Kolisi’s first major contribution of his second Stormers stint came off the field.
Despite arriving in Ireland late on Thursday night following the Springboks’ successful Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry campaign, Kolisi asked to be involved with the squad ahead of the Connacht clash.
“I just want to give a big shout-out to Siya Kolisi, who asked to come and wanted to play against Connacht despite landing so late on Thursday night,” Stormers director of rugby John Dobson said after the match.
Kolisi had just returned from a historic four-Test series against New Zealand, in which he led the Springboks to a 3-1 series victory over the All Blacks.
The Springboks claimed the inaugural Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry trophy after victories in Cape Town, Johannesburg and Baltimore, with their only defeat coming in the opening Test at Ellis Park.
For Kolisi, the series represented another significant chapter in an extraordinary international career, but his decision to immediately reconnect with his new Stormers teammates was what caught Dobson’s attention.
“He is an amazing example of action speaking louder than words, and to have a guy who comes here and invests so heavily,” Dobson said.
“He strapped and warmed up with the team, and that meant a lot to us.”
Those actions offered an early glimpse of the leadership role Kolisi is expected to play within a Stormers squad containing a blend of experienced internationals and emerging talent.
The club subsequently shared footage on its social media platforms showing Kolisi joining the squad in the post-match celebrations, where he sang “Impi Ama Stormers” alongside his teammates.
It was a fitting moment for a player whose connection with the Stormers and Cape Town runs deep.
The Stormers began their URC campaign with a 29-15 victory over Connacht in Galway, overcoming a difficult first half to finish strongly and secure the bonus point.
With Kolisi now back in the fold, alongside a host of experienced Springboks, the Stormers have added another dimension to a squad seeking to challenge for major honours.
Their only URC triumph came in the inaugural 2021/22 season. The return of a player with Kolisi’s experience and leadership provides another significant storyline as the Cape side begins its latest pursuit of silverware.
