Wilco’s return boosts sustainability of Stormers’ strong scrum culture

The DHL Stormers have confirmed the widely anticipated return of Springbok strongman Wilco Louw to their fold from the start of the 2026/27 season as the Cape franchise looks to sustain a strong scrum culture that extends back to 2010.

That was the year that Frans Malherbe and Steven Kitshoff, who together went on to win two Rugby World Cup titles for the Springboks, were at the WP Rugby Institute. Kitshoff was for a time the Stormers’ most capped player before leaving for Ulster. 

He returned last year but unfortunately sustained an injury that forced him to retire before he could make his return for a team he led to the inaugural Vodacom United Rugby Championship title in 2022.

It seems like Malherbe might suffer the same fate as he continues to battle a back injury, although he is still contracted to the franchise and remains listed as an injured player by both the Stormer and the Boks.

With Neethling Fouche doing sterling work at tighthead and ably backed up by Sazi Sandi when necessary, plus Vernon Matongo emerging as a star of the future to back up the powerful veteran Ali Vermaak at loosehead, the Stormers did well in the scrums in the absence of Kitshoff and, for much of the season, Malherbe last year.

Something big and powerful is coming in July 2026. #inittogether pic.twitter.com/RhRZ4IA8aP

— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) September 17, 2025

However, Ntuthuko Mchunu, the powerfully built strong ball carrying loosehead educated at Maritzburg College and rated by some previous Hollywoodbets Sharks coaches as the next ‘Beast’, referencing the legendary Tendai Mtawarira who also started off life as a looseforward, is expected to make his debut for his new franchise in a couple of weeks.

With Matongo also there as well as Vermaak the Stormers are well covered, but they have also acquired Olli Kebble, the Scottish international who has returned to the Cape after initially signing for the Vodacom Bulls.

Kebble, the son of former Bok Guy, was able to return to the union where he started his professional career because of a swap agreed with the Bulls involving Sti Sithole.

Kebble has been described as being “in good nick” by Stormers director of rugby John Dobson, who is currently putting his players through their paces at a pre-season training camp at Wilderness on the Garden Route.

With a full pre-season under their belts, these guys can't wait to get going when we host Leinster in our season-opener at DHL Stadium next week.

🎟️ Tickets here https://t.co/KSlJ2J7pHc #STOvLEI #Inittogether pic.twitter.com/Wq3wdIuRhP

— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) September 17, 2025

JOINING 26/27 CAMPAIGN

The Stormers won’t have the services of Louw this season as he will continue at the Bulls until the end of his contract, but he has been signed on a long-term deal after seeking a return to the region where his family farms and played his schools rugby (HTS Drostdy in Worcester).

He will return to the team he grew up supporting and ready to add to his 46 DHL Stormers caps from the start of the 26/27 campaign.

Dobson said that bringing Louw back to the Cape is a signal of intent of where his team wants to go in the years ahead.

“Wilco made his name as a DHL Stormer, he grew up in the region and has developed into one of the most respected props around the world. Bringing him back next season is a big move for us and we know that he will make a big impact once again,” said Dobson.

“We pride ourselves on our scrum culture here and having someone of Wilco’s quality in the mix will only improve that. Beyond his attributes as a player, he is also a top person who understands what we are trying to achieve as a team, so we are all looking forward to having him back in the fold.:

Louw said that after some time away, he is really looking forward to being back in the Stormers squad at the conclusion of the upcoming season.

“I am obviously focused on this season with my current team, but I am also excited about what the future holds for me back in Cape Town,” said the powerful prop, who was one of the stars of the Boks record win over the All Blacks in Wellington last week after helping the scrum achieve dominance after coming onto the field as a replacement at the start of the second half.

“I know the players, coaches and staff at the Stormers and believe this will be a really positive move for me as a rugby player on and off the field,” he added.

Louw won the Currie Cup with Western Province under Dobson’s coaching in 2017 after making his debut for the union in 2015.

He left the Stormers a few years ago to play club rugby in England before the Bulls lured him back to South Africa, where he has excelled and become a frontline Springbok.

He has been signed by the Stormers on a long-term deal.

Louw won't be there but the Stormers will start their 2025/26 URC campaign by hosting champions Leinster at DHL Stadium in Cape Town next Friday night (26 September).