Stormers boss John Dobson has announced a 56-man squad for the Cape club’s 2026-27 URC and Investec Champions Cup campaigns.
Led by captain Ruhan Nel, the squad boasts serious firepower with 17 internationals, among them 15 Springboks, alongside four Junior Springboks from this year’s Junior World Championship-winning side.
Eighteen players from the URC title-winning 2021-22 squad remain, while Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw and Cheslin Kolbe are all back in Cape Town this season.
Paul de Villiers and Zachary Porthen have also burst onto the Test scene, earning their first Springbok caps off the back of standout form for the Stormers last season.
The Stormers open with a URC tour to Connacht and Edinburgh, on Friday, 25 September and Friday, 2 October respectively, before four home matches at Cape Town Stadium – a Sharks derby on 10 October, a Champions Cup opener against the Bristol Bears and URC clashes with the Scarlets and Ulster.
“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,” Dobson said.
“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.”
SA URC TRANSFERS: Who’s in, who’s out
Stormers URC and Investec Champions Cup squad
Neethling Fouché, Oli Kebble, Sazi Sandi, Wilco Louw, Vernon Matongo, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Zachary Porthen, Hencus van Wyk, Herman Lubbe, Olly Reid, André-Hugo Venter, JJ Kotzé, Lukhanyo Vokozela, Vernon Paulo, Luca Bakkes, JD Schickerling, Adré Smith, Connor Evans, Gary Porter, Riley Norton, Deon Fourie, Siya Kolisi, Marcel Theunissen, Evan Roos, Ben-Jason Dixon, Hacjivah Dayimani, Paul de Villiers, Keke Morabe, Louw Nel, Ruan Ackermann, Wandile Mlaba, Divan Fuller, Stefan Ungerer, Imad Khan, Cobus Reinach, Ezekiel Ngobeni, Jayden Brits, Jean-Luc du Plessis, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Jurie Matthee, Yaqeen Ahmed, Kyle Smith, Ruhan Nel, Wandisile Simelane, Jonathan Roche, Markus Muller, Josh Boulle, Leolin Zas, Seabelo Senatla, Cheslin Kolbe, JC Mars, Mfundo Ndhlovu, Joel Leotlela, Gino Cupido, Damian Willemse, Warrick Gelant.
It is almost @Vodacom #URC time again. This season is going to be a special one. #inittogether pic.twitter.com/9xmJF4BKza
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) September 16, 2026
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images
The post Stormers go back to the future appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Stormers boss John Dobson has announced a 56-man squad for the Cape club’s 2026-27 URC and Investec Champions Cup campaigns.
The post Stormers go back to the future appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
