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Western Province Rugby and the Griquas have signed a player development agreement to cultivate talent and establish progression pathways for players.
The agreement enables Griquas players to ultimately represent the Stormers and also introduces a player loan structure that allows Stormers players to join the Griquas.
This initiative will improve the depth and competitiveness of the Kimberley team's squad and provide additional competitive playing time for those Stormers players on loan.
The two franchises already enjoy a history of working together to develop players. Current Stormers players such as Stefan Ungerer and Adre Smith developed through an informal relationship with the Griquas, and lock Dylan Sjöblom is on loan from the club. Meanwhile, Stormers prop Leon Lyons and scrumhalf Thomas Bursey have both joined Griquas to continue their rugby development.
Both teams have agreed to collaborate on staff development, providing opportunities for staff to learn from one another and share best practices.
WP Rugby and GWK players will be managed and developed in a coordinated way so that the transition of players to URC-level rugby is better achieved.
