Stormers' loose forward stocks already overflowing ahead of Siya Kolisi return

For Stormers fans, the news two days before Christmas that prodigal son Siya Kolisi is moving back to the Cape was an early gift, but they will also be wondering how the Springbok captain will fit into the team.

The Stormers are unbeaten in the Champions Cup and the United Rugby Championship, and key to their success has been the form of their loose forwards. The talk of the town is Paul de Villiers, who has won three man-of-the-match awards in a row in the Stormers No 6 jersey that Kolisi wore 118 times before departing to Racing 92 and then the Sharks.

The press release from the Stormers — which was supposed to happen in January but had to come out prematurely because of a leak — was big on the Springbok captain mentoring up-and-coming players.

And with Kolisi hitting the age of 36 by the time he rejoins the Stormers in July 2026, coach John Dobson won’t want Kolisi to shoulder a heavy playing load. Yes, he will play his fair share, but he can also be gainfully employed “coaching” the likes of De Villiers.

The latter is just 22 and is being spoken about as the new Heinrich Brussouw, the nuggety, out-and-out openside flank who was so key to the 2009 Springbok team that won the series against the British and Irish Lions and lifted the Rugby Championship.

In Durban, Kolisi had to play often because John Plumtree did not have the loose-forward reserves that Dobson has.

As Dobson looks forward to the January 3 North-South derby with the Bulls in Cape Town, he has De Villiers shooting the lights out, Evan Roos in fine form at No 8, while Ben-Jason Dixon, Marcel Theunissen and Ruan Ackermann are hotly contesting the blindside flank spot. Also, Deon Fourie has not retired and is expected back in the new year.

Besides Kolisi imparting his wisdom from 103 Tests to the loose forwards, he will also be a font of leadership knowledge for SA Under-20 stars Rilee Norton, Zachary Porthen and De Villiers.

If you add in the news that Wilco Louw is returning to the Cape, it is a case of “my cup runneth over” for Dobson.

It is the opposite case for Bulls coach Johan Ackermann, who is “letting go” of his assistant coaches, Andries Bekker and Chris Rossouw, as he looks to arrest a worrying five-match losing sequence.

The good news for Bulls fans is that two Springboks rested for last week’s defeat in Durban will be back on duty — the industrious Ruan Nortje will be a big boost to the tight five, while Canan Moodie will add attacking threat to the backline.