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‘The Chef’ to steer Junior Boks in Georgia as Foote names balanced U20 squad

Adnaan MohamedNews, Rugby, SpringboksLeave a Comment on ‘The Chef’ to steer Junior Boks in Georgia as Foote names balanced U20 squad
By Adnaan Mohamed

Talented 19-year-old flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed will headline an exciting 31-man Junior Springbok squad for a three-match tour of Georgia later this month, as coach Kevin Foote begins laying the foundation for South Africa’s 2026 U20 campaign.

Ahmed, a former Wynberg Boys’ High standout known as “The Chef”, has already been contracted by the Stormers after catching the eye while still at school. Now he is set to cook up a storm for the Junior Boks in Tbilisi, where two of the three fixtures will be internationals against Georgia U20.

The squad departs on Sunday, 15 February, and returns on 28 February.

Foote’s selection blends continuity with fresh talent. Four members of last year’s World Rugby U20 Championship-winning side return: loosehead props Ollie Reid and Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka, hooker Siphosethu Mnebelele, and lock Riley Norton, who captained the Junior Boks to the title in Italy.

The touring group was finalised after a three-week training camp in Stellenbosch, which included high-tempo matches against FNB Varsity Cup sides Maties and UCT.

“We have had a very productive period in Stellenbosch, and I believe the matches against UCT and Maties gave us a clear indication of where we are in terms of technical and tactical preparation,” said Foote.

The tour also forms part of South Africa’s build-up to defending their world crown in June and July, also in Georgia.

“Georgia is a challenging place to play, especially with the sub-zero temperatures expected, but this is exactly the kind of test we need to build resilience,” Foote said.

“We are looking for growth in our set-piece dominance and cohesion as we begin our 2026 campaign.

“They are a well-coached team with a lot of experience returning from last year’s international season. We expect very physical encounters, which is exactly what we need for our preparations.”

Foote added that the broader vision includes building depth for future campaigns.

“We are also building for 2027 by giving new players the opportunity to experience international rugby. This tour is a vital step in that regard.”

Several players eligible for the 2027 cycle have been included, among them Gert Kemp, Ethan Adams, Markus Muller, Zekhethelo Siyaya and Luan Giliomee, who recently represented the Blitzboks and helped the Springbok Sevens win the HSBC SVNS Perth title.

Injury concerns ruled out Vuyo Gwiji (loose forward), Pieter van der Merwe (centre) and Alzeadon Felix (fullback), while flyhalf Vusi Moyo continues his rehabilitation. All are targeting a return for the U20 Rugby Championship in April and May.

Speedy wing Cheswill Jooste is currently on Vodacom United Rugby Championship duty with the Bulls and is expected to link up with the squad later in the season.

Foote admitted that narrowing down the group was not easy.

“The full training group made it very hard to decide on a 31-man travelling party. Players such as AJ Meyer (lock) and Reinhardt Viljoen (fullback) put their hands up for consideration and remain firmly in the mix for future camps leading into the Rugby Championship,” he said.

With Norton providing leadership up front and Ahmed poised to guide proceedings at flyhalf, the Junior Boks will look to use the Georgian tour as a critical stepping stone towards another shot at global success.

Junior Springbok squad for Georgia tour:

Props: Oliver Reid (DHL Western Province), Phiwayinkosi “Rambo” Kubheka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Kai Pratt (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sibabalwe Booi (Toyota Cheetahs), Danie Kruger (DHL Western Province).

Hookers: Siphosethu Mnebelele (Vodacom Bulls), Liam van Wyk (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Mahle Sithole (Fidelity ADT Lions).

Locks: Heinrich Theron (Vodacom Bulls), James Schnetler (Fidelity ADT Lions), Riley Norton (captain, DHL Western Province), JD Hattingh (Fidelity ADT Lions).

Loose forwards: Kebotile Maake (Vodacom Bulls), Risima Khosa (Fidelity ADT Lions), Mumbere “Wasi” Vyambwera (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Luke Canon (Fidelity ADT Lions), Gert Kemp (DHL WP), Reuben Kruger (DHL Western Province).

Scrumhalves: Matthew Fick (Vodacom Bulls), Hendré Schoeman (Vodacom Bulls).

Flyhalves: Yaqeen Ahmed (DHL Western Province), Luan Giliomee (Hollywoodbets Sharks).

Centres: Markus Muller (DHL Western Province), Ethan Adams (Fidelity ADT Lions), Christian Vorster (Vodacom Bulls), Samuel Badenhorst (DHL Western Province).

Outside backs: Dylan Miller (DHL Western Province), Zekhethelo Siyaya (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Khuthadzo Rasivhaga (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Jordan Steenkamp (DHL Western Province), Lindsey Jansen (Vodacom Bulls).

Fixtures (Tbilisi):
18 February – SA U20 vs Lelo Saracens
22 February – SA U20 vs Georgia U20
27 February – SA U20 vs Georgia U20

Stormers stuck in reverse as discipline hands Sharks another derby scalp

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John Dobson didn’t duck the tackle or hide behind the referee’s whistle after the Stormers’ second straight derby defeat to the Sharks. Instead, the Stormers coach fronted up and admitted that while the game plan was drawn up neatly, the behaviours at the collision points never shifted.

The Stormers were whistled for 16 penalties and shown two yellow cards in their 38–24 United Rugby Championship (URC) loss in Durban on Saturday, and for Dobson, the most worrying part wasn’t the scoreboard, it was the lack of growth between the two derby encounters.

“We talked about it this week to start the halves well. We probably got both right, but the rest wasn’t a behaviour change from last week. I think the two games were very similar,” said Dobson.

While the Stormers repeatedly knocked on at key moments, the Sharks played with the composure of a side winning the arm-wrestle inch by inch, completing a rare back-to-back Cape Town double.

“Credit to the Sharks, they beat us properly over the past two weeks. Our discipline was poor and our set-piece definitely let us down. I thought their aerial game was really good and they played with a really clear plan that worked for them.”

Instead of tightening their grip at the breakdown, the Stormers loosened it. Seventeen penalties conceded, two more than the previous week, told the story of a side stuck in the same defensive patterns, conceding ground without resistance.

“The most destroying part of last week is that the same things that went wrong last week, went wrong this week. Five-metre lineouts not converted, giving penalties away at mauls which led to some of the discipline stuff. So for the stuff to fix, there needs to be a change in behaviour. It was really poor from us and I feel bad for our supporters.”

What gnawed at Dobson was the sense of déjà vu, the same soft underbelly exposed, the same pressure points targeted.

“The most frustrating thing about tonight [Saturday] is that everything that went wrong last week went wrong this week. There has to be a behaviour change; it is really poor from us and bad for our supporters.”

Once again, the Stormers’ defensive work inside their own five-metre zone cracked under pressure, turning promising stands into penalty concessions and scoreboard damage.

“Five-metre lineouts not converted, giving penalties away at mauls, which led to some of the discipline stuff. So, to fix the stuff, there needs to be a change in behaviour. It was really poor from us, and I feel bad for our supporters.”

Dobson was quick to salute Sharks coach JP Pietersen, whose side dominated the key exchanges and imposed themselves when it mattered most.

“I give them enormous credit. They’ve come, and they beat us twice. He is obviously doing something right within the organisation. They played with real purpose, a clear plan, so yes, he has done well.”

The aerial contest and the penalty count proved decisive battlegrounds. While the Sharks ruled the skies, the Stormers spent long stretches retreating under pressure and playing a man short.

“We didn’t win the contestable game as much as we would have liked to. They were really good in the air. If you are going to be on 11 penalties in 20 minutes, that’s going to include a card.

“If you are going to play 40 minutes in a South African derby with seven forwards, with Damian Willemse scrumming on the flank a lot of the time, it’s not good enough.”

Stormers captain Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu echoed his coach’s assessment, admitting discipline knocked the stuffing out of a side that briefly had the upper hand.

“The lack of discipline cost us. When we played our game, we were on top of them. Going into halftime, we were up 24-14, and we just let it slip.

“Within ten minutes, we went from an upbeat team scoring tries. That’s just the reality. We were being reckless, careless and irresponsible. Our discipline is costing us.”

For the Stormers, the message is blunt: unless the habits at the breakdown, maul and aerial contest change, they’ll keep losing the same battles, and bleeding the same points.

Lions, Bulls prepare for Ellis Park showdown

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By Adnaan Mohamed

Ellis Park will once again rumble like a restless scrum on Saturday afternoon as the Lions and Bulls lock horns in a Jukskei Derby that promises sparks, sweat and shifting momentum on the URC log.

The Lions, settled and confident, return home looking to turn continuity into currency. Their memories of last November’s 43–33 win over the Bulls still echo, but head coach Ivan van Rooyen knows this weekend’s contest will be a far sterner examination.

“Obviously, they’ll be hurting from the result at Loftus,” Van Rooyen said.

“But they’ve got some superstars returning in Kurt-Lee Arendse, Canan Moodie, and Marcell Coetzee, and mentally they’ll be a very different team after the two results they got overseas. We’ll have to rise to that emotional level and physical level.”

For Van Rooyen, the derby won’t be decided on reputation but on precision when lungs burn and legs feel heavy.

“Of course, we’ve got plans, they’ve got plans – but I think the team that can execute under pressure on Saturday, and enforce their strengths more often during the 80 minutes will emerge successful.”

The Lions’ unchanged 23 is a statement of trust. Chris Smith, facing his former employers, will be the conductor of tempo at flyhalf, while skipper Francke Horn leads a familiar loose trio into what is expected to be a collision-heavy battle for breakdown supremacy.

Out wide, Springbok fullback Quan Horn provides composure at the back, with Richard Kriel and Angelo Davids offering strike power on the wings.

Across the tunnel, Bulls coach Johan Ackermann has reloaded his side with intent. The return of Elrigh Louw at openside flank sharpens the Bulls’ breakdown blade, while Devon Williams replaces veteran Willie le Roux at fullback, injecting pace and aerial contestability for what is expected to be a tactical kicking duel.

In midfield, Harold Vorster and Stedman Gans form a more direct, defence-first pairing, signalling a Bulls side built for impact rather than finesse. Kurt-Lee Arendse’s return on the wing adds lightning to the Bulls’ backline, while Handré Pollard resumes his role as the general steering the attacking ship.

The Bulls’ engine room has also been reshuffled, with Reinhardt Ludwig starting at lock and Cobus Wiese primed off the bench to bring brute force in the closing exchanges.

With both sides chasing log momentum, this derby shapes as less chess match and more street fight — a high-tempo contest where accuracy will be the sharpest weapon and composure the ultimate decider.

Teams

Lions:
15 Quan Horn, 14 Angelo Davids, 13 Henco van Wyk, 12 Bronson Mills, 11 Richard Kriel, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Morne van den Berg, 8 Francke Horn (capt), 7 Batho Hlekani, 6 Jarod Cairns, 5 Reinhard Nothnagel, 4 Ruben Schoeman, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 PJ Botha, 1 SJ Kotze
Replacements: Morne Brandon, RF Schoeman, Conraad van Vuuren, Etienne Oosthuizen, Darrien Landsberg, Renzo du Plessis, Haashim Pead, Erich Cronje

Bulls:
15 Devon Williams, 14 Stravino Jacobs, 13 Stedman Gans, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Handré Pollard, 9 Embrose Papier, 8 Jeandre Rudolph, 7 Elrigh Louw, 6 Marcell Coetzee (capt), 5 Reinhardt Ludwig, 4 Ruan Vermaak, 3 Wilco Louw, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Jan-Hendrik Wessels
Replacements: Marco van Staden, Alu Tshakweni, Mornay Smith, Cobus Wiese, Mpilo Gumede, Nizaam Carr, Keagan Johannes, David Kriel

Match Details

  • Date: Saturday, 31 January
  • Venue: Ellis Park Stadium, Johannesburg
  • Kick-off: 14:30 SAST (12:30 GMT)
  • Referee: Morne Ferreira
  • Assistants: Aimee Barrett-Theron, Hanru van Rooyen
  • TMO: Egon Seconds

All to play for in Durban as Sharks eye repeat strike on Stormers

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By Adnaan Mohamed

Saturday’s return-leg Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby between the Hollywoodbets Sharks and DHL Stormers has all the ingredients of a heavyweight rematch – pride on the line, bodies already bruised, and both teams desperate to land the final blow before the competition pauses.

Kick-off at Hollywoodbets Kings Park is set for 17h00, with the Durban side chasing a stunning double over the previously unbeaten Cape outfit, while the Stormers arrive determined to right last week’s wrongs and wrestle momentum back across the Indian Ocean.

Stormers: reshaped for response

The DHL Stormers have reloaded their arsenal for the Durban battlefield, making several changes aimed at sharpening their edge. Damian Willemse drops back to fullback, Jonathan Roche steps in at inside centre, and Dylan Maart takes over on the right wing. It’s a backline reconfigured to counter-punch and strike from turnover ball.

From the bench, Stefan Ungerer, Jurie Matthee and Warrick Gelant are primed as late-game accelerators, ready to stretch tired defenders when the derby muscles tighten.

Up front, Oli Kebble anchors the scrum at loosehead prop, while a brand-new lock pairing of Ruben van Heerden and a fit-again Adré Smith adds fresh steel to the engine room. Evan Roos returns at the back of the scrum, bringing the kind of explosive carries and confrontational presence that can tilt a derby on its axis.

Director of Rugby John Dobson has made it clear there will be no easing into the four-week break.

“Playing back-to-back derbies against the same opposition is a fairly unique situation, and we are desperate to put in a more convincing performance than we managed at home last week.

“We have been boosted by the return from injury of some key players, and you can be sure that all 23 will be going out there to show what it means to play in our jersey for our fans,” he said.

Sharks: belief, but no complacency

The Hollywoodbets Sharks, meanwhile, have also rung the changes as they look to back up last weekend’s bonus-point victory. There’s a completely new front row, with Ox Nche, Fez Mbatha and Hanro Jacobs all starting, while Corne Rahl comes into the engine room, with Jason Jenkins named among the replacements.

In the loose forwards, Phepsi Buthelezi is the only starter retained from last week, joined by Siya Kolisi and Vincent Tshituka, both of whom made their impact off the bench in the first encounter.

The backline sees Grant Williams start at scrumhalf ahead of Jaden Hendrikse, the pair swapping jerseys, while Edwill van der Merwe replaces Yaw Penxe on the wing in the final tweak to the starting XV.

Despite the confidence that comes with a derby win, Sharks captain Andre Esterhuizen insists there is no room for complacency.

“We have a lot to improve on, we are working hard, but to know there is so much improvement ahead of us after the win last weekend is a good sign that we are on the right path,” he admits.

“Last week was a tough and brutal game, but that’s a South African derby and you have to get up for everyone. We’re all in the right mindset, knowing that we can’t just give a once-off performance like that, we must back it up this weekend again.”

With the break looming, Esterhuizen says motivation is sky-high.

“Everyone wants to go into that break in a good way; there is massive motivation for this weekend.”

Since taking over the captaincy, Esterhuizen’s influence has mirrored the Sharks’ improved form. While he credits a shift in mindset under coach JP Pietersen, his own lead-from-the-front approach remains central.

“I’m getting used to the role and enjoying leading the team and with the backing of the boys and coaching staff, that makes it so much easier.

“I’m a big believer that you can’t tell someone to do something you wouldn’t do yourself.”

What to expect

Expect collisions to echo, scrums to creak and tempers to simmer. The Sharks will look to turn Kings Park into a fortress and land back-to-back blows, while the Stormers arrive with pride wounded and packs reloaded, intent on proving last week was a stumble, not a trend.

In a derby where inches matter and moments decide everything, this one shapes as a contest fought in the trenches and finished by nerve.

Team line-ups

DHL Stormers

15 Damian Willemse, 14 Dylan Maart, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Jonathan Roche, 11 Leolin Zas, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (captain), 9 Cobus Reinach, 8 Evan Roos, 7 Ben-Jason Dixon, 6 Paul de Villiers, 5 Ruben van Heerden, 4 Adré Smith, 3 Neethling Fouché, 2 André-Hugo Venter, 1 Oli Kebble.

Replacements:
16 JJ Kotzé, 17 Ntuthuko Mchunu, 18 Zachary Porthen, 19 JD Schickerling, 20 Marcel Theunissen, 21 Stefan Ungerer, 22 Jurie Matthee, 23 Warrick Gelant.

Hollywoodbets Sharks

Ox Nche, Fez Mbatha, Hanro Jacobs, Corne Rahl, Emile van Heerden, Siya Kolisi, Vincent Tshituka, Phepsi Buthelezi, Grant Williams, Jordan Hendrikse, Jaco Williams, Andre Esterhuizen (C), Ethan Hooker, Edwill van der Merwe, Aphelele Fassi.

Replacements:
Eduan Swart, Phatu Ganyane, Vincent Koch, Jason Jenkins, Nick Hatton, Jaden Hendrikse, Siya Masuku, Jurenzo Julius.

Photo Credit: Rashied Isaacs

Highveld pride, coastal fire: Bulls-Lions derby looms as Stormers face Shark Tank test

Adnaan MohamedRugbyLeave a Comment on Highveld pride, coastal fire: Bulls-Lions derby looms as Stormers face Shark Tank test
By Adnaan Mohamed

For Bulls and Lions supporters, this is not just another round of the Vodacom URC , it’s a weekend that could shape seasons, shift momentum and settle old scores. And hovering over it all is the coastal showdown in Durban, where the Stormers walk into the Shark Tank knowing that what happens there will ripple all the way up to the Highveld.

This is the URC at its sharpest: derbies that feel like knockout blows, log positions tightening like a defensive line, and belief becoming just as valuable as points.

Bulls vs Lions: Highveld pride at stake

Ellis Park will crackle long before kick-off. When Bulls and Lions meet, form becomes fragile and history heavy. The Lions still carry the memory of their 43-33 ambush at Loftus in November – a result that silenced Pretoria and reminded everyone that derby days obey no log table.

For the Lions, this match is about turning admiration into advancement. Back-to-back draws away to Perpignan (20-20) and the Ospreys (24-24) showed resilience and character, but also left a familiar ache: close, but not enough. Sitting seventh on the URC log with 24 points, they are still in the playoff conversation – but the gap to the leaders is starting to stretch like a missed tackle.

A home derby is the perfect place to change that narrative.

The Bulls, meanwhile, arrive with something they have not had for weeks: momentum. After seven straight losses across competitions, Johan Ackermann’s men have rediscovered belief with successive wins over Pau and Edinburgh. Like a pack that has finally found cohesion at scrum time, the Bulls are standing taller, tackling harder and trusting their systems again.

They have climbed to ninth on the log and are now within striking distance of their Gauteng rivals. Their Springboks are once again playing like world champions, and with Neil de Bruin added to the coaching mix, structure and clarity are beginning to show.

For Bulls supporters, Ellis Park is a chance to prove that this revival is real – not just a flicker, but a flame.

Stormers vs Sharks: a derby that matters to everyone

While Highveld eyes are fixed on Johannesburg, the Stormers’ trip to Durban matters deeply to Bulls and Lions supporters alike. The Sharks’ emphatic 30-19 win in Cape Town did more than end an unbeaten run – it reshaped the South African Shield picture and tightened the race for playoff places.

John Dobson did not sugar-coat the defeat, calling it “our worst performance of the season”. And he was right. The Stormers, previously No 1 in the URC for lineouts, mauls and scrums, were dismantled at the set-piece. Their usually fluent game dissolved into a fog of misfires and penalties as the Sharks imposed themselves with authority.

Now comes the harder test: responding in the Shark Tank, where confidence grows teeth and momentum feeds on noise.

For the Sharks, JP Pietersen’s impact has been immediate and tangible. Four wins from six since taking interim charge, and that Cape Town performance was the clearest sign yet of a team rediscovering its bite. From 14th to 11th on the log, they now sit just two points outside the top eight – very much alive.

It was not a lucky win either. It was comprehensive, controlled and settled long before the final whistle. The Stormers did not simply play badly; they were never allowed to breathe.

For Bulls and Lions fans, the Durban result could be pivotal. A Sharks surge complicates the playoff race. A Stormers response could reassert Cape Town dominance. Either way, the ripple effect will be felt far beyond the coast.

The log tells the story

The Stormers have slipped to second, three points behind Glasgow Warriors, though with a game in hand on the Scots and other overseas sides. They remain contenders – but now under pressure.

The Lions hold seventh, competitive but restless. The Bulls are climbing, confidence swelling. The Sharks are charging from behind.

This is the stage of the URC where seasons tilt.

Why this weekend matters

For Lions supporters, this is about finally landing a knockout blow in a tight fight.
For Bulls supporters, it is about proving the revival has substance.
For everyone, the Stormers vs Sharks derby is a measuring stick – of resilience, belief and championship credentials.

The URC is no longer a marathon. It is a series of collisions. And this weekend, every one of them counts.

URC Round 11 fixtures (SA times)

Saturday, 31 January

  • Lions vs Vodacom Bulls – 2:30pm
  • Sharks vs Stormers – 5pm

Photo Credit: Rashied Isaacs

Springbok Women’s Sevens Clinch Dubai Title as Defence Impresses Afrika

Adnaan MohamedNews, RugbyLeave a Comment on Springbok Women’s Sevens Clinch Dubai Title as Defence Impresses Afrika
By Adnaan Mohamed

The Springbok Women’s Sevens claimed the HSBC SVNS 3 title in Dubai on Sunday after an unbeaten tournament highlighted by strong defence, effective attack and disciplined teamwork, according to head coach Cecil Afrika.

South Africa topped their pool on Saturday before defeating Poland in the semi-finals and coming from behind to beat Argentina 12-5 in the final.

The victory marked Afrika’s second consecutive tournament title since taking over as coach in October, following the Rugby Africa Women’s Sevens Cup triumph in Nairobi in November.

“It was a great win and the players deserve all the credit – we really defended well, but our attack also proved very effective,” said Afrika.

He said the team struck the right balance between defence and attack throughout the tournament.

“Overall, I think we got the balance right at this tournament. When we needed to, we defended our line very well and when the opportunity came, we could switch to attack and scored some really nice tries.”

Afrika emphasised collective effort as key to the team’s defensive success.

“One of the keys to a successful defensive effort is for players to work hard for each other, getting back in line, getting back off the floor to get in position and to trust the system and not try things on your own.”

The Dubai title secures qualification for the HSBC SVNS 2 series, with three tournaments to follow, starting in Nairobi on 14–15 February.

Afrika also acknowledged squad members who did not travel to Dubai.

“We must also acknowledge those players who did not travel this time but are part of the squad,” he said. “They helped us with our preparation and I am happy to say we got our tactics and game analisys right also.”

The team will depart Dubai later on Sunday and arrive in Cape Town at 11:00 on Monday.

Selected stats:
Most points – Nadine Roos (54: four tries, 17 conversions)
Most tries – Maria Tshiremba (7)

Stormers survive Leicester storm to stutter into Last 16

Adnaan MohamedNews, RugbyLeave a Comment on Stormers survive Leicester storm to stutter into Last 16
By Adnaan Mohamed

The DHL Stormers may have booked their place in the Investec Champions Cup play-offs with a 39–26 win overLeicester Tigers at DHL Stadium on Saturday, but this was less a polished symphony and more a garage band that occasionally forgot the chords.

Yes, the scoreboard says five tries to four. Yes, the Stormers marched into the last-16 in front of an enthusiastic Cape Town crowd of 25 000.

But context matters, and this particular Tiger arrived with more stripes missing than a clearance-sale jersey. A significantly weakened Leicester side, shorn of several frontline names, still managed to bare its teeth often enough to expose some worrying cracks in the Stormers’ armour.

The home side started like a team keen to make an early statement. Evan Roos thundered over for the opener after Jonny Roche’s midfield burst split the defence, before André-Hugo Venter peeled off a maul to make it 12–0. At that point, it looked like traffic control rather than a contest.

Then the Stormers remembered their habit of inviting chaos. Two quick Leicester tries, through George Pearson and Will Wand, flipped the scoreboard to 14–12 and highlighted how quickly defensive alignment can evaporate when concentration wobbles.

For long spells, the Stormers looked like a side playing fast-forward without checking the mirrors. Passes went to ground, exits were optional, and defensive spacing sometimes resembled a group photo taken mid-blink. Leicester didn’t need their full complement to punch holes; the Stormers generously supplied the gaps themselves.

The hosts regained the lead at the break thanks only to Leicester’s kindness and new skipper Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s boot, after Dylan Maart fumbled what should have been a walk-in try. It was 15–14 at halftime, advantage Stormers, but with the handbrake still half on.

Leicester struck first again after the restart with a maul try to reclaim the lead, underlining just how vulnerable the Stormers were when the basics slipped. The response, though, captured the essence of this side: chaotic, brilliant, risky and entertaining in equal measure. Leolin Zas finished off a slick passage of offloads for the Stormers’ third, dragging momentum back their way.

The game teetered again when Feinberg-Mngomezulu saw yellow, reducing the Stormers to 14 men, usually the cue for consolidation. Instead, JD Schickerling produced an outrageous dummy more suited to a centre than a lock, carving open the defence to score the bonus-point try and turn disbelief into delight.

Replacement scrumhalf Imad Khan added the final flourish at the death, his try stretching the scoreline into something that suggested control rather than the rollercoaster reality.

Replacement scrumhalf Imad Khan provided a spark. Photo: Rashied Isaacs

The Stormers’ attack still flickered with moments of brilliance, because that’s their DNA, but too often it came wrapped in loose decision-making. It’s champagne rugby, once more, served in a paper cup. When it worked, it sparkled. When it didn’t, it fizzed out spectacularly.

Defensively, the warning lights flashed brightest. For a side with ambitions of lifting Europe’s biggest prize, conceding soft metres and broken-field opportunities against a patched-up opponent is the rugby equivalent of leaving your front door open and hoping no one notices.

This was a match the Stormers should have controlled with one hand on the wheel and the other on the gearstick. Instead, they veered between dominance and disorder, brilliance and brain fade, sometimes within the same phase.

The truth is simple: knockout rugby does not grade on flair alone. The further you go, the less forgiving the margins become. European heavyweights won’t offer second chances, and they certainly won’t arrive missing half their starters.

If the Stormers genuinely want to go all the way in this competition, the basics must stop being optional extras. Tackle completion, exit accuracy, set-piece pressure and defensive spacing are not glamorous, but they are non-negotiable.

Winning ugly still counts. Winning sloppy comes with a warning label. The Stormers advanced to the last 16 of the Champions Cup and will now tackle French Giants Toulon at the Stade Mayol in the South of France in April.

Unless John Dobson’s charges tighten the bolts, sharpen the fundamentals and start respecting the small moments, Europe’s elite will make them pay with interest.

For the Stormers switch their attention to the Vodacom URC where they host the Sharks in Cape Town on Saturday.

STORMERS – Tries: Evan Roos, Andre-Hugo Venter, Leolin Zas, JD Schickerling, Imad Khan. Conversions: Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (3), Khan (1). Penalties: Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Khan.
LEICESTER TIGERS – Tries: George Pearson, Will Wand, Jamie Blamire, Tom Manz. Conversions: Billy Searle (3).

Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 fixtures in full

Union Bordeaux Bègles vs Leicester Tigers

Glasgow Warriors vs Vodacom Bulls

RC Toulon vs DHL Stormers

Stade Toulousain vs Bristol Bears

Bath Rugby vs Saracens

Leinster Rugby vs Edinburgh Rugby

Northampton Saints vs Castres Olympique

Harlequins vs Sale Sharks

When Matric Meets the Stormers: Markus Muller’s Results Day Scrum

Adnaan MohamedFeatures, News, RugbyLeave a Comment on When Matric Meets the Stormers: Markus Muller’s Results Day Scrum
By Adnaan Mohamed

Most matriculants spent results day pacing the house, refreshing WhatsApp and bargaining with the rugby gods. Markus Muller? He was at Stormers training.

Yes, while his classmates waited nervously for envelopes and emojis, the Paarl Gymnasium captain and South Africa Under-18 centre had his boots on and his head down at his first Stormers session, leaving his mom to do the official results run.

“I asked my mom to collect my results,” Muller laughed in an entertaining interview conducted by veteran prop Neethling Fouche using a Red Bull energy drink can as a microphone.

“During training, when I had time off, I looked at my phone, and my mom sent me a picture.”

Welcome to modern rugby: professional contracts, professional gyms and matric results via WhatsApp.

Muller passed, and passed the vibe check too.

“I was ‘quite’ happy with having passed his matric exam,” he said.
“I was a bit nervous, but it was fun.”

The timing could not have been more poetic. On the same day his school chapter closed, a professional one cracked open. Like a winger ditching the safe kick for touch and backing himself, Muller chose the Stormers call over the school hall queue.

Markus Muller at the Stormers High Performance Centre in Bellville on Tuesday Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

He is one of a bumper crop of schoolboy stars already snapped up by the Cape franchise for 2026 and beyond. Joining Muller from Paarl Gym is loose forward Quintin Potgieter, while the wider class includes Alutha Wesi (Rondebosch Boys), centres Randall-John Davids, prop Matt van der Merwe and wing Jordan Steenkamp, hooker Altus Rabe and loose forward Gert Kemp (Paul Roos).

Wynberg Boys flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed, Boland Landbou scrumhalf Jayden Brits and Grey College lock AJ Meyer are the other prodigies on the Stormers books.

These names might sound that is comes from a matric class list. However, it’s more like a Craven Week highlight reel.

Stormers wing Leolin Zas has already had his first look at the teenage midfield star, having watched him shine at Craven Week. His first impression? Talent, nerves and plenty of upside.

“His first day was yesterday [Tuesday], and he looked a bit nervous,” said the 30-year-old back of the 18-year-old.
“I can’t wait to share some things with him.”

Muller, described as the best schoolboy centre in the country last year, is already talking like a team man rather than a headline hunter. If the Stormers need him to do the dirty work, he’s keen.

The young midfielder said he would happily answer the Stormers’ call to pack down in a scrum if the need arises, but he would like to be part of a maul as well.

In other words: give him a jersey and tell him where to push.

Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson says the flood of local talent is no accident, but a carefully built pathway that keeps Western Cape rugby feeding itself.

“Our contracting model is to look at local talent from the region first as a way to keep strengthening the pathway system,” Dobson said.

He believes the current intake shows the production line is alive, well and hitting peak form.

“The strong intake of local talent is extremely encouraging as the Stormers look to build significant depth by drawing on the best that the schools in the Western Cape have to offer,” he said.

“We have seen a few big success stories in recent years, with the likes of Damian Willemse, Salmaan Moerat, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, JD Schickerling and Suleiman Hartzenberg all coming through our system to become household names.

“We expect the same to happen with many of these players who will join our environment next year and we are not done here, with a few more significant names set to be added to this list in the near future.”

As for Muller, his matric certificate may still be at home, but his boots are already in the Stormers locker room. One chapter closed, another opened. No study leave required.

Stormers Furious Over Pitch After Smith’s Hospitalisation

Adnaan MohamedNews, RugbyLeave a Comment on Stormers Furious Over Pitch After Smith’s Hospitalisation
By Adnaan Mohamed

What should be a fortress has become a minefield.

Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson has launched a blistering broadside at the Cape Town Stadium pitch, blaming its deteriorating condition for an alarming injury toll that has now left lock Adré Smith hospitalised with a serious knee infection.

“We were promised a world-class pitch, and we certainly don’t have one,” Dobson said, his words cutting sharper than a loose stud.

Speaking from London, where the Stormers are preparing for a pivotal Champions Cup clash against Harlequins on Sunday, a visibly agitated Dobson revealed that Smith is undergoing intensive medical treatment after suffering a deep knee wound during last weekend’s gritty 13–8 win over the Bulls.

Smith, who came off the bench in the bruising North–South derby, split his knee open on what Dobson described as a surface more suited to a ploughed field than elite rugby.

“There is no way to beat around the bush, or be polite about it,” Dobson said. “He split his knee and got an infection, where the field wasn’t adequately covered with grass. The doctors put it directly down to the condition of the field.”

Smith has already spent two days in hospital and is expected to remain under close medical supervision for at least another two, as the Stormers count the cost of what Dobson labelled an “enormous frustration” for management.

The lock is not alone. Dobson confirmed multiple players have emerged bloodied and burned by the abrasive surface, with turf toe, severe abrasions and infections becoming increasingly common.

“We’ve seen turf toe injuries, abrasions, infections and even an increased risk of concussion on an unpadded surface,” Dobson said. “Player safety is the biggest concern.”

The pitch woes trace back to the World Supercross Championship staged at the stadium on December 13, an event that ripped up the surface and left it struggling to recover. Despite that, 53,000 supporters packed the stands just three weeks later to witness the Stormers edge the Bulls, even as the grass remained thin, brown and bare.

World Supercross Championships

Stormers Rugby CEO Johan le Roux previously described the surface as “absolutely sad”, while Cape Town Stadium Chief Operating Officer Louw Visagie has insisted the pitch is fit for purpose and meets World Rugby standards. It’s a view Dobson clearly does not share.

As if the surface scars were not enough, the Stormers’ casualty ward continues to swell. Veteran prop Ali Vermaak has ruptured his Achilles, while combative loose forward Ruan Ackermann faces months on the sidelines with a serious neck injury.

“Ali has ruptured his Achilles, which is a serious injury for any rugby player,” Dobson said. “It’s incredibly disappointing because of how popular and effective he’s been for us.

“Ruan has a bulging disc in his neck. Those injuries can be three months if you’re very lucky, but they can also be longer. I’d say it’s a good few months, which is a massive blow because he was exceptional, especially on defence.”

For a team built on physical dominance and relentless pressure, the Stormers now face a battle on two fronts, one against elite European opposition, and another against a home surface Dobson believes is breaking his players faster than any opponent ever could.

Mauls, Minutes and Mindset: The Formula Driving the Stormers’ Relentless Winning Run

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By Adnaan Mohamed

The DHL Stormers’ march to 10 consecutive victories has followed a familiar pattern for elite teams operating at the sharp end of European competition. Nothing is rushed. Nothing is improvised. Everything is rehearsed.

As they prepare for their next Investec Champions Cup assignment against Harlequins, the Stormers arrive with a growing reputation as one of the competition’s most physically cohesive sides. It’s a team that wins collisions and squeezes opponents through precision rather than volume.

For forwards coach Rito Hlungwani, the explanation is disarmingly simple.

“It was a very tough game, lots of sore bodies,” Hlungwani said earlier this week. “But business carries on as usual. We’ve got a massive game waiting for us in London and we want to make sure we’re ready – and we will be ready.”

Winning the Week Before Winning the Weekend

Across both domestic and European competition, the Stormers remain unbeaten this season, combining a perfect league record with two Champions Cup victories that announced their credentials beyond their own borders.

But Hlungwani is clear that the difference is created midweek, not under stadium lights.

“We spend Mondays, Tuesdays and Wednesdays training against each other, and that’s actually more time than an 80-minute game,” he said.

That framing matters. In modern rugby, ball-in-play time is limited and moments are decisive.

“[A game] is usually like 36 minutes ball in play.”

The Stormers have leaned into that reality by ensuring their training environment mirrors and exceeds match intensity, particularly in the set-piece exchanges that shape European knockout rugby.

Maul Volume, Not Maul Mystique

Few sides in this season’s Champions Cup have leaned as heavily on controlled maul pressure, and fewer still have executed it with the same consistency. But the Stormers’ maul is not a surprise weapon, it is a rehearsed sequence built on repetition.

“This weekend we had 18 lineouts, and 12 of those were mauls,” Hlungwani explained. “At training we’ll do 40 or 50 lineouts and more than 20 mauls. The cohesion is built there.
“What people see on a Saturday is just the result.”

For European opponents, the warning is clear. The Stormers do not need chaos to score. They are content to grind, squeeze and recycle pressure until the resistance buckles. It profile that travels well in Champions Cup rugby.

Selection Is Irrelevant, Engagement Is Not

Another hallmark of the Stormers’ rise has been squad-wide ownership, a trait often visible in teams that sustain winning runs rather than peak briefly.

“Whether you played or not, everyone watches the game, everyone reviews it,” Hlungwani said. “In meetings, anyone can be asked a question. Everyone is engaged in the process. The guys who didn’t play are often the first to speak about what we need to fix. It’s a collective mindset.”

That collective sharpness has fostered internal competition, particularly among the forwards, where depth is increasingly non-negotiable in a tournament that demands rotation without dilution.

A Champions Cup Test Built for the Front Rows

Prop Oli Kebble, who is closing in on a personal milestone, believes the Stormers’ physical authority is forged through internal challenge rather than opposition fear.

“Training sessions are sometimes harder than games,” Kebble said. “We challenge each other all week, whoever’s playing and whoever’s not. That’s bred the scrum culture we take into matches.”

Against a Harlequins side known for mobility and depth, Kebble expects the contest to hinge on whether physical parity can be maintained across 80 minutes.

“They’ve got good front-row depth, but so do we,” he said. “To compete in the URC and Champions Cup, you need two frontline packs. It doesn’t matter who wears the jersey, we’re going there to take them on.”

Why This Stormers Model Travels in Europe

For international observers, the Stormers’ profile now feels familiar. The Cape side is built around set-piece accuracy, collective clarity and repeatable pressure. In Champions Cup rugby, where margins shrink and emotion spikes, those traits often matter more than flair.

The Stormers are manufacturing inevitability. And as Hlungwani suggests, by the time the weekend arrives, most of the work is already done.