Stormers squad locked and loaded for 26/27 URC season

DHL Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has confirmed an impressive 56-man squad for the 26/27 season as they stand on the brink of what is shaping to be an extraordinary campaign.

Led by club captain Ruhan Nel, the squad assembled to fly the Stormers flag in the Vodacom URC and Investec Champions Cup this season boasts serious firepower – 17 internationals, including 15 Springboks line up alongside 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 21/22 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 keep producing new Springboks. Paul de Villiers and Zachary Porthen have both burst onto the Test scene, earning their first Springbok caps off the back of stand-out form for the Stormers last season.

Some of the biggest names in South African rugby are coming home too. Siya Kolisi (118 Stormers caps), Wilco Louw (52 caps) and Cheslin Kolbe (49 caps) are back in Cape Town and will all pull the Stormers jersey back on this season.

There is no easing in. The Stormers open the season with a two-match URC tour, taking on Connacht in Galway before heading to Edinburgh – a true test on the road to kick things off.

Then it is back to Cape Town for four consecutive matches at DHL Stadium that fans won’t want to miss.

• 10 October – the first blockbuster of the season: a derby against the Hollywoodbets Sharks. Sold out for the last two seasons running and with Springboks back in the mix on both sides, expect fireworks.

• Investec Champions Cup opener against Bristol Bears.

• Vodacom URC clashes against Scarlets and Ulster.

Four matches. One unmissable October. Tickets are available now at stormers.co.za.

Dobson believes this is the deepest 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 knock-out 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, while we also have the talent pipeline in place, with the Stormers Rugby Institute continually developing players that 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.

Meanwhile, experienced scrumhalf Andre Warner has joined the Stormers on a six-month loan as part of the partnership with the Seattle Seawolves.

Having trained with the squad in recent weeks while the American side have been in their off-season, the 32-year-old will extend his stay in Cape Town until February.

He comes with significant experience, having played for two South African clubs and French team Stade Francais before heading to America earlier this year.

Stormers Rugby has a positive working relationship with the Seawolves, who visited Cape Town earlier this year and spent a week immersed in training with the home side in the build-up to the friendly between the Seattle Seawolves and the DHL Stormers XXIII.

This loan deal is the latest example of the two clubs working together for their mutual benefit.

Dobson said that this shows the value of the partnership with the Seattle team.

“It is fantastic to have this kind of relationship with the Seawolves and I know they gained a lot from their visit here, beyond just the 80 minutes at DHL Stadium. It was really valuable for us to have them here, both to prepare the DHL Stormers XXIII ahead of the SA Rugby U23 Cup and to strengthen the connection between the two clubs.

“I’d like to thank head coach Allen Clarke and everyone involved there for being open to this deal to have a player like Andre join us for the next six months,” he said.

Dobson said that Warner will add immense value, with the 26/27 season kicking off this week.

“Andre has been really impressive since joining up with us in pre-season. He has been a consistent performer for many years, and you can see why in the professionalism he brings.

“We have had some injuries at scrumhalf, so to be able to bring a player like Andre in is hugely helpful.

“He showed his worth in our pre-season match in Paarl and will also be able to help develop some of the exciting young players in our system as well,” he added.

Clarke said that everyone at the Seawolves will follow Warner’s progress at the Stormers with interest.

“We’re genuinely excited for Andre. He’s been a huge part of the Seawolves and is someone who means a great deal to our club, both as a player and as a person.

“This is a fantastic opportunity for him and another positive step in our partnership with the DHL Stormers. It gives Andre the chance to keep playing at a high level during our off-season, challenge himself in a great rugby environment, and continue to grow his game.

“We’ll be supporting him every step of the way, and I know our fans will be following him with real pride. Andre is a Seawolf and we can’t wait to welcome him home in February and see him pull on that jersey again,” he said.

This comes after the Lions Rugby Company officially confirmed the departure of scrumhalf Haashim Pead for the Stormers.

Pead, who began his professional career at the Lions in 2024, has made the decision to continue his rugby journey in the Western Cape.

During his time in Johannesburg, he established himself as a standout talent, earning his senior domestic debut in the Currie Cup against the Vodacom Bulls followed by an international debut against the Newcastle Red Bulls in 2025.

​Following an exceptional rise through the ranks, Pead was named the Junior Player of the Year in 2025. His consistently impressive performances at domestic level recently earned him a call-up to Rassie Erasmus’ Springbok alignment camp for the 2025/26 season.

Lions Rugby Company CEO- Rudolf Straeuli said: ​"Haashim has been a dedicated and exceptional talent since beginning his professional career with us in 2024. While we are sad to see him depart Johannesburg, we respect his decision to take on a new challenge with the DHL Stormers. We thank him for his service to the Lions and wish him success in the next chapter of his career."

Pead grew up just a stone’s throw from DHL Stadium in Bo-Kaap, built his name at Bishops and capped a breakout year by starring for the Junior Springbok team – led by his new club teammate Riley Norton – as they beat New Zealand in the 2025 final to win the global showpiece for international U20 teams in Italy for the first time since 2012.

The electric scrumhalf now returns to where it all started to form part of the long-term vision of Project 2029. He will be available to make his Stormers debut once the team is back from its two-match tour to Ireland and Scotland, with four consecutive home games at DHL Stadium in October giving fans their first chance to see him in Stormers colours.

The 21-year-old was called up to a Springbok senior alignment camp and featured for South Africa 'A' against Zimbabwe earlier this season. His crisp service, instinctive eye for a gap, searing pace and strength make him one of the most exciting young prospects in South African rugby.

Dobson said Pead’s profile was the perfect fit for the squad as part of Project 2029, which seeks to position Stormers Rugby as one of the top global rugby clubs on and off the field.

“Haashim is a rising star and as a local lad who fits our game model perfectly, it made sense on every level for us to bring him back to Cape Town.

“He is a gifted athlete who has an incredibly high ceiling and we look forward to seeing how he develops here with us.

“This is a four-year deal, so there is a big commitment from both ourselves and Haashim to Project 2029 and our goals as a club,” he added.

Pead said he was determined to make the most of playing for his boyhood team.

“Cape Town is my home and I could not be more excited to join the DHL Stormers. I can’t wait to get stuck in.

“I have joined a very strong squad at a club with big ambitions, so there is a lot of hard work ahead of me and I just want to take every opportunity that comes my way here,” he said.

DHL Stormers 26/27 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)