Kolisi set for versatile back-row role as Stormers welcome three Springbok stars home

Siya Kolisi is back at the Stormers and director of rugby John Dobson has outlined an expansive role for the double World Cup-winning captain, who he says could feature at six, seven or eight during the Cape Town side’s URC title challenge.

Kolisi returns to the Stormers from the Sharks alongside winger Cheslin Kolbe, who joins from Tokyo Sungoliath, and tighthead prop Wilco Louw, who arrives from the Bulls. The trio’s homecoming represents a significant boost for a side that has already won the URC once and is openly targeting a second title.

“He’s already thoroughly invested,” Dobson said of Kolisi. “He’s a guy we’d look at in all positions in the back row. We’ve got three guys that have played six for South Africa this year in Siya, Deon Fourie and Paul de Villiers. With the way Siya has grown physically, he could play seven and eight for us as well.”

On Louw, who started all four Tests in the recent Greatest Rivalry series against New Zealand, Dobson added: “Just seeing the damage he is doing on the world stage now, he’s a massive acquisition for us.”

Kolbe’s return is tempered by injury. The winger, who passed 50 Springbok caps this summer, suffered a broken jaw against the All Blacks in Johannesburg and will miss the Stormers’ October fixtures. “It’s a bit of a blow that Cheslin won’t play the October matches because we have been a bit light on the wings over the last season or two,” Dobson said. “But he’s got a long season after that.”

Captain Ruhan Nel was equally enthusiastic about the human element the three players bring, not just their on-field quality. “I think if you look at the humans we are getting back into our system, that’s actually the thing that stands out the most for me,” the veteran centre said. “For me, the more better people you can get in the environment, I just believe you will have better rugby players as well.”

Dobson also noted that all three players declined an offer of a week off next month. “Not one of those three guys took up that right, which is fantastic. It shows their commitment to the Stormers that they wanted to play every game.”

The Stormers have further strengthened their squad by signing highly rated young scrum-half Haashim Pead from the Lions as they finalise their preparations for the new campaign.