Siya Kolisi To Return Home As Stormers Secure Iconic 2026 Reunion

Siya Kolisi will return to the Stormers in July 2026, reuniting with his home club to mentor young players and strengthen Cape Town rugby under Project 2029

Dec 23, 2025 by Philip Bendon

Siya Kolisi To Return Home As Stormers Secure Iconic 2026 Reunion

Cape Town will once again be home for one of South African rugby’s most influential figures.

Siya Kolisi will return to Cape Town and the Stormers Rugby at the conclusion of the season, with the two time Rugby World Cup winning Springbok captain set to rejoin the club in July 2026.

The move marks a homecoming for Kolisi, whose professional career began in the city after leaving school, and signals a long term investment by the DHL Stormers in leadership, mentorship and squad development as part of the franchise’s wider Project 2029 vision.

Kolisi, 34, is expected to play a significant on field role while also mentoring the next generation of players as the Stormers continue to build depth and maturity within their squad. The return will also allow Kolisi to be closer to his family, a factor that played a central role in the decision.

The iconic loose forward made his Stormers debut in 2012 and has since amassed 118 caps for the Cape Town outfit. He was appointed Stormers captain in 2017 before taking on the same responsibility with the Springboks a year later, leading South Africa to Rugby World Cup triumphs in 2019 and 2023.

Stormers Rugby CEO Johan le Roux said the club was thrilled to welcome Kolisi back to where his journey began.

“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,” le Roux said.

“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 described the return as a deeply personal moment for both himself 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,” Kolisi said.

“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.”

Stormers director of rugby John Dobson believes Kolisi’s impact will extend far beyond matchday contributions.

“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,” Dobson said.

“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.”

Dobson also acknowledged the demands Kolisi has carried in recent years but stressed the veteran’s commitment to the Stormers’ long term ambitions.

“We are very aware of the load that he has carried professionally and personally, but what is so encouraging is the way that he has bought into helping us reach the goals we have set for ourselves as we build towards Project 2029.”

For the Stormers and their supporters, Kolisi’s return represents more than a signing. It is the reunion of a leader with his roots, and a statement of intent about where the club believes its future lies.

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Investec Champions Cup Round 2

Friday, Dec. 12

3 p.m. ET: Leicester Tigers vs. Leinster Rugby, Mattioli Woods Welford Road

Saturday, Dec. 13

8 a.m. ET: DHL Stormers vs. La Rochelle, Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium
10:15 a.m. ET: Hollywoodbets Sharks vs. Saracens, Hollywoodbets Kings Park
10:15 a.m. ET: Clermont Auvergne vs. Sale Sharks, Stade Marcel-Michelin
12:30 p.m. ET: Bordeaux-Bègles vs. Scarlets, Stade Chaban-Delmas
12:30 p.m. ET: Munster Rugby vs. Gloucester Rugby, SuperValu Páirc Uí Chaoimh
3 p.m. ET: Glasgow Warriors vs. Toulouse, Scotstoun Stadium

Sunday, Dec. 14

8 a.m. ET: Harlequins vs. Bayonne, Twickenham Stoop
8 a.m. ET: Castres Olympique vs. Edinburgh Rugby, Stade Pierre-Fabre
10:15 a.m. ET: Toulon vs. Bath Rugby, Stade Félix Mayol
10:15 a.m. ET: Northampton Saints vs. Vodacom Bulls, cinch Stadium @ Franklin’s Gardens
12:30 p.m. ET: Bristol Bears vs. Pau, Ashton Gate

Investec Champions Cup Round 1 Scores

Friday Scores

DHL Stormers 23, Bayonne 17 | FINAL
Sale Sharks 21, Glasgow Warriors 26 | FINAL

Saturday Scores

Saracens 47, Clermont 10 | FINAL
Bordeaux 46, Vodacom Bulls 33 | FINAL
La Rochelle 39, Leicester Tigers 20 | FINAL
Leinster Rugby 45, Harlequins 28 | FINAL
Bristol Bears 17, Scarlets 16 | FINAL
Bath Rugby 40, Munster Rugby 14 | FINAL

Sunday Scores

Northampton Saints 35, Pau 27 | FINAL
Toulouse 56, Hollywoodbets Sharks 19 | FINAL
Gloucester Rugby 34, Castres 14 | FINAL
Edinburgh Rugby 33, Toulon | Final

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