Currie Cup heroes join Stormers as Cape side gears up for URC battle with Leinster

The Stormers are excited to welcome a trio of recently crowned Currie Cup kings from the Griquas into their system, as they prepare for their latest assault on the United Rugby Championship (URC) with Friday’s home game against defending champions Leinster.

Griquas wings Dylan Maart and Gurshwin Wehr will join scrumhalf Caleb Abrahams on loan at the Cape giants, fresh off Saturday’s shock Currie Cup final triumph over the Lions. The news is just reward for three of the competition’s standout players, who helped guide the team from Kimberley to victory in a campaign where the odds were stacked heavily against Pieter Bergh’s charges.

“Hopefully, they make it here. I’m not sure where they are with the celebrations,” Stormers assistant coach Dawie Snyman joked at a media conference on Monday. 

“But it’s great. Well done to Griquas on a phenomenal performance. They were consistent all season – actually the last two or three seasons – and for those players to come through to get at shot at the URC, an opportuntiy, it’s amazing. 

“Again, congratulations to everyone that really worked hard behind the scenes. And, hopefully, we can reward some of their players that put up their hands and really performed well.”  

“Hopefully, not at my expense,” Stormers winger Seabelo Senatla chimed in, to hoots of laughter. 

Jokes aside, the Stormers could hardly have asked for a tougher assignment first up than against the defending champions from Ireland.

“We know Leinster is a well-oiled machine. They’ve got the ability to put a whole lot of phases together, and they’ve got a great attacking system," Snyman admitted.

"Obviously with Jacques (Nienaber) up there now increasing their defensive line speed, they put you under pressure in a lot of areas and are also getting the balance right between not just attacking but also kicking well. I think there’s no weaknesses in that team, so all areas need to be firing for us to have a good result.”

The Stormers made it to the quarter-finals of the URC last season, where they lost to the Glasgow Warriors. They will be seeking a return to the kind of form that took them to the inaugural title, and will be hoping the Griquas trio can help bring a winning mentality to the team.