Stormers Lock Down 767 Caps Worth Of URC Title Winners And Springbok Talent
The DHL Stormers have secured a key group of players on contract extensions ahead of the 2026/27 season, with nine Vodacom URC winners committing their futures to the blue and white.
Off the back of a strong 2025/26 campaign – one that opened with 10 consecutive wins – the DHL Stormers are already putting in the work for the new season, which kicks off at the end of September.
Last season, they pushed eventual Vodacom URC champions Leinster to the limit in a hard-fought semi-final and gave RC Toulon everything they had in a tense away Investec Champions Cup thriller. The ambition is clear, and this group is determined to go even further next season.
Ruhan Nel, Deon Fourie, Seabelo Senatla, Leolin Zas, Marcel Theunissen, Hacjivah Dayimani, Warrick Gelant, Adré Smith and JJ Kotzé – all title winners from the 2022/23 season who have 767 DHL Stormers caps between them – are committed to the cause and ready to push for more.
In addition, the next generation is poised to make its presence felt in the senior ranks.
Springbok prop Zachary Porthen, loosehead Vernon Matongo and centre Josh Boulle have also signed contract extensions after coming through the Stormers Rugby system.
The 22-year-old Porthen is one of four former Junior Springbok captains in the current squad, alongside Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Paul de Villiers and Riley Norton, and earned his sixth Springbok cap in the opening Test against New Zealand.
Matongo is coming off a breakthrough season in the front row, while hard-hitting centre Boulle – having overcome a number of injury setbacks – is set to make an impact in midfield this season.
Director of Rugby John Dobson knows what this group means for the campaign ahead.
“We made several high-profile signings and announced extensions for some important players last season, and the retention of this group gives us real depth in our squad,” he said.
“There are exciting young players coming through our system who challenge for places all the time, and they find themselves sharing a changeroom with seasoned campaigners who understand what it takes and what it means to play for this team.
“This group gives our squad a strong foundation of quality players who have been successful at this level and delivered consistently for us over the years.
“When you consider that we have increased our presence in the Springbok set-up, it is clear that we have created an environment for the young talent to thrive and grow as part of Project 2029,” he added.
