Stormers captain Siya Kolisi has warned their Super Rugby competitors that there is a storm brewing in the Mother City.
Kolisi is one of eight Springboks to pen new deals at the franchise ahead of the 2020 season.
On Tuesday, the union confirmed that the national team leader, alongside Pieter-Steph du Toit, Steven Kitshoff, Bongi Mbonambi, Scarra Ntubeni, Frans Malherbe, Damian Willemse and Dillyn Leyds, all signed new contracts until the 2021 season.
And with the upcoming term being the last at Newlands, Kolisi wants to make it a celebratory one.
The Stormers have never won Super Rugby, but after the Springboks’ success at the World Cup this year they believe that 2020 might just be their year.
IN: Pieter-Steph du Toit. Picture: BackpagePix.
Kolisi says: “I have been playing with some of these guys my whole career and we are all looking forward to reaching new heights in a Stormers jersey.
“We have a strong group of senior players and talented youngsters coming through all the time, which is what we need to reach our goal of rewarding the Faithful for their incredible support.
“I know it has been a tough few years for us and our Faithful, we really appreciate them for sticking with us and hopefully we will have plenty to celebrate in the future.”
STAYING PUT: Dillyn Leyds, centre, signed up for another two years. Picture: BackpagePix.
It wasn’t only Boks who signed new deals.
Young props Kwenzo Blose, Leon Lyons and Neethling Fouche, locks JD Schickerling and Chris van Zyl, looseforwards Juarno Augustus, Ben-Jason Dixon, Johan du Toit and Nama Xaba and backs Sergeal Petersen, Edwill van der Merwe, Dan du Plessis, Jean-Luc du Plessis and Sihle Njezula all signing on the dotted line.
STEPPING INTO TOMORROW: Ace Damian Willemse. Picture: BackpagePix.
Of the players who signed new deals, coach John Dobson says: “Players like Siya Kolisi, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Steven Kitshoff, Bongi Mbonambi, Scarra Ntubeni, Dillyn Leyds, Damian Willemse and Frans Malherbe are part of the fabric of Stormers rugby.
"So it is fantastic to know that they will all be around to add value to our team environment in the next two years.
“We know what these players offer on and off the field, the challenge now is to get the most out of their considerable talents.”