The DHL Stormers welcome back the return of two-time Rugby World Cup–winning Springbok captain Siya Kolisi at the end of the season.
READ: Siya Kolisi to leave Shark for Stormers return
Kolisi is scheduled to return in July 2026, where he will play a key role in mentoring the next generation as the club continues to build depth and maturity within the squad as part of Project 2029.
The move will see Kolisi relocate closer to his family, while also allowing him to make a meaningful contribution to the team where his professional journey began after finishing school.
An experienced leader, Kolisi joins a proud tradition of players returning to Cape Town to add significant value both on and off the field, as the club continues to strengthen its overall resources.
Kolisi’s professional career started in Cape Town, and he is now poised to add to his impressive tally of 118 DHL Stormers caps.
After making his debut in 2012, he was named Stormers captain in 2017 before taking on the same leadership role with the Springboks a year later. He would go on to lift the Rugby World Cup in 2019 and again in 2023.
Driven by a strong desire to return to his roots and be closer to his family, Kolisi is expected to make a major impact at the DHL Stormers, both through his performances on the field and his invaluable mentorship off it.
Stormers Rugby CEO Johan le Roux said he is thrilled to welcome Siya Kolisi back to the franchise.
“Siya is a national icon who has such a strong connection to our team and our supporters. He is also a family man who wants to be there for his children as much as possible.
“These are values that resonate with our club and given the significance of our heritage in defining where we want to go, we are very happy to welcome Siya back to hopefully see out his career in the jersey he wore when it started.
Kolisi said that coming back to Cape Town is a meaningful and special moment for both him and his family.
“I have such incredible memories of my time at the DHL Stormers, the way I was embraced by the fans in my formative years has never left me.
“My family is in Cape Town and it is important to me to be close to them. This move gives me the chance to do that while also giving back to the team and fans who made such a big contribution to the player and person I am today.
“I am looking forward to contributing in any way I can to the future success and happiness of this special club and its incredible supporters,” he said.
Director of Rugby John Dobson said that Kolisi will bring a unique level of value to the squad that no other player can offer.
“We have got an outstanding crop of loose forwards in our squad and a number of very strong young leaders, with the last three Junior Springbok captains all on our books.
“Siya will be able to help develop these players and mentor them in a way that nobody else could, given what he has achieved and what he represents to all South Africans and especially our fans.
“We are very aware of the load that he has carried professionally and personally over the last few years, but what is so encouraging is the way that he has bought into helping us reach the goals we have set for ourselves in developing our squad as we build towards Project 2029,” he said.
