Stormers leaders relishing 'homecoming' of Springbok trio

The Cape Town franchise's chequebook has been busy in the off-season, as they have secured the services of Bok heavy hitters Siya Kolisi, Cheslin Kolbe and Wilco Louw.

All three players cut their teeth at the Stormers before seeking pastures new, but have now returned to the Mother City as Dobson builds significant squad depth. Combined, the trio have well over 200 caps for the franchise and while they have been away several years, Dobson has not forgotten them.

"They are all multiple-season Stormers, so there's a sense of a homecoming," he told RugbyPass.

"We offered all our Springboks a week off next month and not one of those three guys took up that right which is fantastic. It shows their commitment to the Stormers that they wanted to play every game."

Dobson was excited about the versatility of double World Cup-winning captain Kolisi. When combined with other world-class loose forwards, the Stormers boast several formidable back-row options.

"He's already thoroughly invested," he said of Kolisi.

"He's a guy we'd look at in all positions in the back row. We've got three guys that have played six for South Africa this year in Siya, Deon Fourie and Paul de Villiers.

"With the way Siya has grown physically, he could play seven and eight for us as well."

But for captain Nel, it's not about rugby skills. The stalwart is more excited about the character the trio are bringing to the squad.

"It's pretty well documented about their abilities as rugby players, but I think if you look at the humans we are getting back into our system, that's actually the thing that stands out the most for me," said the veteran centre.

"I had the pleasure of playing Sevens with Cheslin in a couple of tournaments and he is exactly the same guy now as what he was back then and I think that speaks volumes of his character.

"We know Siya for the character he is and the impact he has on the people of South Africa and I know Wilco as well.

"For me, the more better people you can get in the environment, I just believe you will have better rugby players as well. We have got three very big guys coming back, also three Stormers men. It's very exciting.

"Apart from what they are bringing on the field physically, just the type of humans we are going to have in the environment is also a massive contribution to us."

The Stormers get their United Rugby Championship season underway without the vast majority of their Springboks when they face Connacht in Ireland on Friday.

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