Siya Kolisi returns! How the Stormers could lineup featuring world’s best and the Springboks’ generational talent
Siya Kolisi, Wilco Louw and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Following the high-profile signing of Springboks captain Siya Kolisi, we take a look at how the Stormers could lineup next season.
The Cape-based outfit has set the goal of winning a European trophy by 2029, and their hopes of doing just that have been boosted by the return of Kolisi ahead of the 2026/27 season.
He adds further depth and experience to an already star-studded lineup. While the team is already STACKED, the Stormers hinted that more stars could be making their way back to Cape Town.
“The experienced Kolisi will not be the first or the last player to return to Cape Town and add significant value both on and off the pitch, as the club continues to strengthen its resources,” a paragraph in the statement announcing the Springboks captain’s return read.
Without further ado, here’s how the Stormers could lineup with Kolisi and other new additions to the squad.
15 Damian Willemse
The youngest double Rugby World Cup winner has often lined up in the centres for the Stormers, but his best position is arguably full-back.
John Dobson certainly has depth at his disposal, and if it’s not Damian Willemse in the full-back position, then it’s fellow Springbok Warrick Gelant.
This is just the first of many positions where the Stormers have superstar talent.
14 Suleiman Hartzenberg
Cheslin Kolbe has repeatedly been linked with a return to South Africa and is a player that Dobson has openly expressed an interest in.
If he isn’t one of the players that the Stormers suggest will return, then Dobson is not short on options with the highly-rated Suleiman Hartzenberg in his ranks.
Hartzenberg has struggled with injuries in recent times, and this season’s early setback opened up an opportunity for Dylan Maart, who has shone for the Capetonians.
Former Blitzboks star Seabelo Senatla continues to be a consistent performer for the side, while Sako Makata is also on the club’s books.
13 Ruhan Nel
On the topic of consistency, there is perhaps no player more consistent for the Stormers than Ruhan Nel. The 34-year-old has gone from strength to strength at the side and has become a leader in the team.
He is backed up by Wandisile Simelane, who also triples up as an option on the wing and at full-back, while Luke Burger is a player to keep an eye on.
Hartzenberg is another player who could slot into the outside centre position, as could Damian Markus.
12 Dan du Plessis
Dan du Plessis and Nel are set to continue their partnership in the centres next season, with the former being another consistent performer for the club.
The 30-year-old will have stiff competition for the jersey in the form of rising star Jonathan Roche, who debuted for the side last season.
As mentioned above, Willemse could also slip into the centres for the Stormers, as could several of the fly-half options. Damian de Allende has expressed his desire to finish his illustrious career back at the Stormers, but next season might be too soon for that.
11 Leolin Zas
Try-scoring machine Leolin Zas is a regular feature for the Stormers outwide, and that trend shows no signs of stopping. Dobson does have other options in former Springbok Courtnall Skosan as well as rising stars JC Mars and Jared Africa, though.
10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu
The Stormers have regularly rotated this season, but when it comes to the crunch matches and when fit, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is bound to be the man Dobson turns to in the number 10 jumper.
While the generational talent is the clear frontrunner for the jersey, the club does have depth in the form of the impressive Juree Matthee as well as the ever-present Jean-Luc du Plessis and up-and-comer Kyle Smith.
9 Cobus Reinach
Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s Springboks halfback partner, Cobus Reinach, has enjoyed a fine start to life in Cape Town and was in arguably the form of his career in 2025.
If he continues in that vein, then he is bound to be the go-to selection at scrum-half with sturdy replacements in youngsters Imad Khan and Asad Moos and the experience of Stefan Ungerer.
Dewaldt Duvenage has performed a player-coach role with the side recently, but it’s yet to be seen how long he will continue his playing career.
8 Evan Roos
While Rassie Erasmus continues to overlook Evan Roos for Springboks honours, the 25-year-old continues to perform for the Stormers.
Another clear standout performer in his position, but again, Dobson doesn’t have to rely solely on the Bok with Ruan Ackermann and Keke Morabe just two other talents.
There are several versatile loose forwards in the squad, including youngster Divan Fuller.
7 Ben-Jason Dixon
Pieter-Steph du Toit-esque Ben-Jason Dixon has become a key cog in the Stormers pack, which earned him a call-up and debut to the Springboks last year.
Louw Nel and Marcel Theunissen add further depth in the position.
6 Siya Kolisi
The big name signing. Siya Kolisi returns to his old stomping ground next season and his old jersey. The double Rugby World Cup-winning skipper has played at the back of the scrum on occasion for the Sharks and could do so for the Stormers too; however, his best position is on the side of the scrum.
The oldest ever Springbok debutant, Deon Fourie, is contracted through to the end of this season, but one would not put it past the 39-year-old extending his career by another season.
Meanwhile, Paul de Villiers has been nothing short of sensational since making his debut for the side and has picked up multiple man of the match awards this campaign.
5 JD Schickerling
Ruben van Heerden is set to leave the Stormers at the end of the season, and with the ever-present lock heading to France, perhaps the second row is a position where Dobson could recruit, who knows, maybe Kolisi could convince Eben Etzebeth to join him in Cape Town…
However, JD Schickerling is on the club’s books and is a player that the side can rely on for powerful and effective performances.
There are further options in the form of Junior Springboks skipper Riley Norton and 29-year-old Gary Porter.
4 Salmaan Moerat
Club captain Salmaan Moerat is another clear-cut selection for Dobson. The 27-year-old signed a deal earlier this year that will keep him in Cape Town through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup.
Alex Groves, Adre Smith, and Connor Evans are further options that the Stormers have on their payroll.
3 Wilco Louw
A position where the Stormers will have an embrassement of riches next season with Wilco Louw returning to the blue and white hoops.
Louw is possibly the most dominant scrummager in world rugby and one of the best tightheads in the game. He adds to an already stacked position that may be further boosted by the long-awaited return of Springboks veteran Frans Malherbe.
Zachary Porthen shot to stardom this year, becoming the youngest front rower to debut for the Springboks when he took the field against Japan. The Stormers may well further the Boks’ experiment of him becoming a swing prop by deploying him at loosehead.
36-year-old Ali Vermaak continues to churn out solid performances for the side, but is in the twilight of his career, while there are younger tightheads in the form of Corne Weilbach and Sazi Sandi.
The rumour mill suggests that Neethling Fouche could be on his way out, but for now, he remains a strong performer for the side and recently notched up his 100th appearance.
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2 Andre-Hugo Venter
Andre-Hugo Venter earned his Test debut last year and has been another consistent performer for the club. He shares minutes with fellow hooker JJ Kotze with Scarra Ntubeni and Lukhanyo Vokozela, adding further depth.
1 Ntuthuko Mchunu
Springboks loosehead Ntuthuko Mchunu has proven to be a star signing for the Stormers after making the switch from the Sharks.
The 26-year-old looks to be the frontrunner for the number one jersey going forward, with the experienced Oli Kebble providing cover.
Finally, Vernon Matongo is a rising star to keep an eye on.
