Having fallen short of contesting a third URC final in five seasons, coach John Dobson will bank on the homecoming of fan favourites to reinforce the Cape outfit’s bid for a second title, writes DEVIN HERMANUS.
The Stormers finished the 2025-26 regular season with 12 wins, five losses and a draw, advancing to the playoffs where they beat Cardiff at Cape Town Stadium before falling to eventual champions Leinster in Dublin.
Dobson’s men kicked off their campaign with a 35-0 rout of an understrength Leinster, the first of eight straight wins before a mid-season wobble of three successive derby defeats, plus a shock home loss to Connacht in the race to the final eight that cost the Capetonians a home semi-final.
Two-time World Cup winner Siya Kolisi returns to fulfil an important role mentoring the next generation as part of Project 2029.
One of the most electrifying players in world rugby, Cheslin Kolbe’s return brings one of Cape Town’s sons back to where his journey began, adding world-class quality, championship experience and X factor. He will, however, miss the Stormers’ opening five matches of the season after suffering a broken jaw while on Springbok duty.
ALSO: Dobbo upbeat despite Kolbe blow
Fellow Springbok and tighthead prop Wilco Louw, one of the most dominant scrummagers in the world and famed for his work rate, has also penned a long-term deal, having made his debut for the Stormers in 2015.
Their arrivals offset the exits of stalwarts and seasoned campaigners Dan du Plessis, Scarra Ntubeni, Salmaan Moerat and Ruben van Heerden, and complement the talented and influential Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Damian Willemse, Warrick Gelant, Evan Roos, Imad Khan, Paul de Villiers, Zachary Porthen and Markus Muller – who became the youngest-ever Stormer to debut at 18 years, nine months and 19 days on 25 April.
The Stormers begin their 2026-27 campaign with trips to Connacht and Edinburgh, followed by a three-match stretch in Cape Town before the international break. Dobson’s charges will be targeting back-to-back matches in the Mother City either side of the turn of year – the first two are derbies against the Lions and Bulls – to gain momentum for four away outings in South Africa and abroad. They also close out their league schedule overseas, with clashes at Leinster and the Dragons.
FACT FILE
Coach: John Dobson
Captain: Ruhan Nel
2025-26 log finish: 3rd (semi-finalists)
ONE TO WATCH
Paul de Villiers has emerged as one of the Stormers’ most influential forwards, with his ability over the ball proving crucial in several tight contests, and earned his first Springbok call-up after his impressive form last season. The openside flanker finished the 2025-26 URC with 19 turnovers won – two fewer than top jackler Jeandré Rudolph – delivering a string of high-impact displays and stacking up Man of the Match awards along the way. Renowned for his work over the ball, De Villiers also has keen attacking instincts and pace to slice through the heart of any defence. The 23-year-old wasted no time making an impact on his Bok debut after receiving a late call-up for the England Test on 4 July, looking like he belonged in the green and gold No 6 jersey, and the former Junior Boks skipper won’t give up his Stormers jumper to Siya Kolisi without a fight.
FAST FACT
Flyhalf Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu topped the regular-season points chart in the 2025-26 URC with 158, while No 8 Evan Roos finished as the competition’s top try-scorer (12).
PRE-SEASON: Bulls claim bragging rights in Paarl
PLAYERS IN
Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath)
Siya Kolisi (Sharks)
Wilco Louw (Bulls)
PLAYERS OUT
Dan du Plessis (Bordeaux Bègles)
Dewaldt Duvenage (retired)
Alex Groves (Scarlets)
Dylan Maart (Bulls)
Salmaan Moerat (La Rochelle)
Scarra Ntubeni (retired)
Suleiman Hartzenberg (Sharks)
Dylan Maart (Bulls)
Asad Moos (Lions)
Scarra Ntubeni (retired)
Corné Weilbach (Saracens)
Ruben van Heerden (Montpellier)
URC FIXTURES
25 September: Connacht (a)
2 October: Edinburgh (a)
10 October: Sharks (h)
24 October: Scarlets (h)
31 October: Ulster (h)
5 December: Sharks (a)
19 December: Lions (h)
3 January: Bulls (h)
23 January: Cardiff (h)
30 January: Zebre (h)
21 February: Bulls (a)
27 February: Lions (a)
19 March: Glasgow (a)
27 March: Ospreys (a)
17 April: Benetton (h)
24 April: Munster (h)
8 May: Leinster (a)
15 May: Dragons (a)
The hoops are here to stay. Our 26/27 Home Jersey is an absolute classic.
On sale 10.09.26 from https://t.co/0BCbDACDjK#inittogether pic.twitter.com/Bm24rx10ha
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) September 3, 2026
Back in black! What was your reaction when you saw our 26/27 Away Jersey?#inittogether pic.twitter.com/RVxGfblpiE
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) September 2, 2026
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images
The post 2026-27 URC preview: Stormers appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Coach John Dobson will bank on the homecoming of fan favourites to reinforce the Stormers’ bid for a second title.
The post 2026-27 URC preview: Stormers appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
