The Stormers have joined the four-club race for the services of newly capped Springboks hooker
A new logo, a redesigned jersey as the classic hoops return and now the Stormers are turning their attention to recruitment and retention of top players.
“Stormers Rugby has taken a step into the future with the unveiling of a bold new identity “, a statement from the club read, revealing their new logo, and with an eye on the future, the Cape-based outfit has reportedly locked in a generational talent in the form of Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Mngomezulu has extended his contract that was set to expire in 2027 by a further two years, with the two parties recently reaching an agreement.
The 23-year-old is viewed as one of the best young players in World Rugby right now after being nominated for the Breakthrough Player of the Year – won by All Blacks star Wallace Sititi – after starting in his first eight appearances for the Springboks in 2024.
He has featured a further three times for the Boks in 2025 and has been included in the Springbok touring squad to New Zealand for rounds three and four of the Rugby Championship.
Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s commitment to the Stormers is a massive boost for the Project 2029, which is being spearheaded by Dobson and Mick Dawson, former Leinster CEO, to turn the club into a real force in both the URC and Champions Cup with enough depth to compete in both tournaments.
He will also be crucial to the side following the departure of Manie Libbok to Japan, which means he is the frontrunner for the club’s number 10 jersey, his preferred position, going forward.
Sacha has been earmarked as a generational talent since he was a schoolboy and it is has been great to see him break through into the senior ranks in the last few seasons,” Dobson said of the playmaker when he re-signed with the Stormers in April last year.
“Now that his future here is confirmed, we are looking forward to seeing him develop further and fulfil the potential that is clear to anyone who has watched him play. He has the ability to become a world-class fly-half and we want to equip him with everything he needs to do just that.”
The news of Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s re-signing comes on the back of Dobson confirming that powerhouse prop Wilco Louw will be switching Pretoria for Cape Town ahead of the 2026/27 season.
The Springboks prop’s contract with the Bulls expires at the end of the upcoming season, following which he will join the Cape Town-based outfit on a four-year deal. It is also understood that Cheslin Kolbe is eager to return to the Stormers once his contract with Suntory Sungoliath in Japan concludes, with the winger not entertaining other offers.
Deon Fourie returns and more signings
Netwerk24 also reports that the Stormers and Bulls have agreed a swap deal which will see ex-Glasgow Warriors prop and Scotland international Oli Kebble return to Cape Town. The front-rower had signed with the Bulls after he was released by the Warriors, but now rejoins the Stormers instead, with Sti Sithole making the move to Pretoria.
Meanwhile, Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok Deon Fourie is expected to make his return from injury with Western Province this weekend. The 38-year-old suffered a knee injury in April this year but opted not to hang up the boots, signing a one-year contract extension with the Stormers. He is set to earn his 99th Western Province cap against the Pumas this weekend and could reach his 100th game milestone the following week against Boland.
It is further reported that the Stormers have turned their attentions to signing newly-capped Springboks hooker Marnus van der Merwe from the Scarlets.
According to Rapport, they will face stiff competition from the likes of the Sharks, Lions and Prem club Saracens for his services.
The Stormers are keen to strengthen their hooker depth following the departure of Joseph Dweba to Exeter Chiefs, as the club was unable to afford his salary when he was no longer deemed to be a Player of National Interest, losing necessary funding from SA Rugby.
Van der Merwe would reportedly be eligible for that funding if he were to sign for a South African URC team upon the expiration of his contract at the Scarlets in mid-2026.
One player the Stormers are set to lose is lock Ruben van Heerden, who has reportedly made a verbal agreement to join French outfit Montpellier following the conclusion of the 2025/26 United Rugby Championship season.
The second-rower has been recruited by the French club following the departure of Paul Willemse and Nico Janse van Rensburg, the former released following a torrid bout of head injuries and the latter returning to South Africa, signing with the Bulls.
