Stormers call on front-row reinforcements
The Stormers have strengthened their prop stocks with a former Rebel and a Cheetah.
According to Rapport, tighthead prop Cabous Eloff, who played for the Rebels from 2020 to 2024 before the Melbourne-based team was disbanded by Rugby Australia, has joined the Stormers on a trial and will feature for WP in the Currie Cup.
The 26-year-old Affies old boy was coached in Melbourne by current Junior Boks boss Kevin Foote.
The Stormers have also secured the signature of veteran prop Hencus van Wyk. The 33-year-old will head to the Cape after the Currie Cup having been granted an early release by the Cheetahs.
The signings come as the Stormers prepare for life without Springbok tighthead Frans Malherbe, who is out for the rest of the year with a back injury.
Neethling Fouche, who made his Test debut against Georgia in Nelspruit, is also expected to miss parts of the URC due to national duty.
WP kick off their Currie Cup campaign with a match against the Vodacom Bulls in Cape Town on Saturday, while the Stormers’ URC season gets underway on 26 September with a home clash against champions Leinster.
These reinforcements come at a crucial time as the Stormers prepare for another gruelling United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign, where depth in the front row often makes the difference in tight contests. With the likes of Neethling Fouché, Sti Sithole, and Brok Harris already in the mix, the addition of Eloff and Tshakweni gives the coaching staff more combinations to work with.
Stormers director of rugby John Dobson emphasized that the signings are about both short-term impact and long-term planning. “We’re excited to welcome Cabous and Alulutho. Their presence will sharpen our scrum and bring more balance and resilience to our forward pack,” he said.
With these new faces in the mix, Stormers fans will be eager to see a rejuvenated and more robust front row when the new season kicks off.
