Stormers announce signing of schoolboy stars, Adams on way to Lions?

The Stormers have announced the signing of a number of promising schoolboy rugby players.

The Paarl Gimnasium duo of centre Markus Muller and loose forward Quintin Potgieter, Rondebosch Boys High loose forward Alutha Wesi, centre Randall-John Davids and prop Matt van der Merwe, wing Jordan Steenkamp, hooker Altus Rabe and loose forward Gert Kemp from Paul Roos, Wynberg Boys flyhalf Yaqeen Ahmed, Boland Landbou scrumhalf Jayden Brits and Grey College lock AJ Meyer have all agreed to join the Stormers next year.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said that the contracting model is to look at local talent from the region first as a way to keep strengthening the pathway system which has seen the Western Province U21 team win two consecutive national titles, with many of those players going on to feature for the Stormers as well.

“This speaks to our aim as an organisation of harnessing the talent we have on our doorstep and strengthening the connection with our fans by contracting players from their communities to take our team forward,” said Dobson in a statement.

Success stories

“We will still keep an eye on the most promising players from around the country and will make strategic acquisitions from outside the region if we feel they will make a big difference,” he added.

Dobson said that this 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.

“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.”

Meanwhile, Grey College star centre Ethan Adams, who played for the SA Schools team last year and is considered one of the biggest talents in junior rugby in South Africa, is rumoured to be on his way to the Lions.

The Joburg-based team have, however, yet to announce the signing.