Matthee extension ensures Stormers flyhalf depth until 2029

They already have the man many regard as the world’s best flyhalf on their books until 2029 and of course Damian Willemse can also play there, so John Dobson’s latest coup will ensure the Stormers director of rugby will be spared a headache many of his rivals may have to face.

Jurie Matthee has signed on the dotted line, in so doing committing to Dobson’s Project 2029, and there may be some directors of rugby and coaches at rival franchises whowill feel sorry they missed out on the talented 25-year-old who has proved a steady customer when he has had an opportunity to start or indeed has been used off the Stormers bench.

Matthee, a product of Paarl Gimnasium, has played in the shadow of Springbok No 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and before that Manie Libbok but he has proved himself a match-winner on a few occasions since he first made his mark in a narrow Investec Champions Cup loss to Leicester Tigers at Welford Road a few years ago where he did well in his duel with Handre Pollard.

Many will look back at last year’s away north/south Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby against the Vodacom Bulls at Loftus, where he bossed a wet weather game, as evidence of his match winning ability but there was another and funnily enough it was while sharing the field with the versatile Feinberg-Mngomezulu.

Matthee wore the No 10 with Feinberg-Mngomezulu alongside him in the key 10/12 decision making axis as an inside centre in a coastal derby against the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban in the 2023/2024 season and they were the heart of much of what went right for the Stormers in a good win.

A GOOD HORSE TO BACK FOR A NORTHERN HEMISPHERE COURSE

A good horse to back for an away course, and in particular a northern hemisphere one, Matthee was also man of the match in the good Stormers win over Benetton in Treviso last October. It is performances like that that have underlined his continued upward trajectory and underlined the value that would have prompted the Stormers to sign him long term.

With some talented youngsters also coming through the system and Willemse also boasting plenty of experience in the position, the Stormers are well served at pivot going forward.

With both likely to be away on national duty quite a bit, and Willemse anyway more likely to play at fullback or in the midfield, Matthee will get an opportunity to develop in a way not dissimilar to the way the solid and reliable Harry Byrne did as an understudy to Johnny Sexton at Leinster.

Now on loan to Bristol Bears, but capped for Ireland, Byrne has 83 Leinster caps to his name. Matthee currently has 21 with the Stormers.

HAS POTENTIAL AND IS COACHABLE

Dobson said he is looking forward to getting the chance to develop Matthee to his full potential.

“Jurie has proven himself to be extremely coachable and applies himself in a way that gives those around him confidence,” said Dobson in announcing the contract extension.

“He has already shown that he is much more than just a steady hand, he is respected by teammates and opposition alike. You underestimate Jurie’s abilities at your peril. We are delighted to keep him here long-term and are really looking forward to seeing him develop further within our system.”

For his part, Matthee said that his experiences within the Stormers system had convinced him that there is no place he would rather play his rugby.

“I grew up dreaming about pulling on this jersey and playing for this team,” said Matthee.

“Since coming into the environment I have grown as a player and look forward to seeing where this journey takes me. I feel blessed to represent this club and our fans. The vision that we have here for the future is incredibly exciting, and I am so glad I get to be a part of it.”

PAULO AND HACJIVAH ALSO SET TO BOLSTER CAPE TEAM

There’s been quite a bit of movement at the Stormers during the week and a bit since the last tie they took the field, which was for the URC coastal derby against the Sharks 11 days ago, with the promising 24-year-old Cheetahs hooker Vernon Paulo confirming his move to the Stormers earlier this week.

Paulo is regarded highly after first making his mark in the Varsity Cup winning 2023 NWU team and although he did sign a contract extension with the Cheetahs halfway through last year, the Oakdale product was released by the Bloemfontein union at the start of this month.

While it hasn’t been announced yet, it is also understood that the X-factor loose-forward Hacjivah Dayimani, a star for the Stormers in the two years where they made the URC final, winning one of them, is returning to Cape Town and could be available to play for them as soon as their next URC game, which is against the Lions in Johannesburg on 28 February.