Stormers to replace Western Province in Currie Cup under single brand

By SABC Sport
6th March 2026

A major shift is underway in Western Cape rugby as Western Province will no longer compete in the Currie Cup.

Instead, the team will play under the Stormers XXIII banner, marking the next step in the consolidation of all professional teams under Stormers Rugby.

This change follows the 2024 renaming of the company to Stormers Rugby and the 2025 rebrand, which aimed to bring clarity and unity across the region's rugby teams. The new structure aligns with international best practice for sporting organisations and ends years of identity confusion between Stormers and Western Province sides.

Under the new system, the Stormers XXIII will compete in both the SA Rugby Under-23 Cup and the Currie Cup, while the Stormers Bolts will enter the SA Rugby Under-20 Cup.

Amateur teams under the Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU) will retain the traditional Western Province name and continue to provide a talent pipeline to the professional squads. The unified brand also allows for easier player movement across competitions, offering young players valuable exposure in senior provincial rugby while preparing for the United Rugby Championship and Champions Cup.

Stormers Rugby CEO Johan le Roux said the consolidation clarifies the identity of all professional teams.

"Our heritage will always be part of who we are, and the Western Province amateur teams will continue to nurture talent for the Stormers system," he explained.

To manage player transitions, Hanyani Shimange will oversee the pathway programme. The coaching team for Stormers XXIII includes Labeeb Levy (head coach), Helmut Lehmann (forwards), Dewaldt Duvenage (attack), Craig Childs (defence), with Brok Harris as scrum coach, Migael Wahl on strength and conditioning, and Uzair Saban as analyst.

Director of Rugby John Dobson emphasized that the pathway for professional players is now clear while remaining rooted in the region's rich rugby history.

"Who we play for, how we play our rugby, and why it means so much to represent this region will never be in doubt," he said.

WPRFU president Kevin Kiewitz added that the relationship between amateur and professional rugby remains strong, ensuring both continue to thrive. The new Stormers kit retains the iconic blue-and-white hoops, keeping the heritage alive while projecting a unified, modern identity for Cape rugby.