With Kolbe confirmed on a two-year deal and Kolisi and Louw already inked, the Stormers are assembling a squad with genuine title ambitions for 2026/27. Planet Rugby projects a potential 23 that places Kolbe straight into the starting XV on the right wing, with the backline built around a Willemse-at-12 axis that allows Feinberg-Mngomezulu to play with freedom and Kolbe to find space. Gelant likely retains the 15 shirt, with Simelane's versatility deployed off the bench. Reinach and Feinberg-Mngomezulu are pencilled in as the first-choice half-back pairing, though Imad Khan is pushing hard after a strong season. Up front, Kolisi slots to blindside, Louw at tighthead, and Evan Roos anchors the eight — with a potential Lavanini signing at lock the one move that could significantly upgrade the forward pack further.
How Kolbe, Kolisi and Louw reshape the Stormers' 2026/27 lineup
Planet Rugby projects the Stormers' 2026/27 starting lineup following the Kolbe, Kolisi, and Louw signings — a backline built for attacking flair around Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Willemse, with a power-focused pack that could get even stronger if Lavanini arrives.
Dobson: Kolbe returning to win trophies, not to wind down
John Dobson says Cheslin Kolbe has made a major financial sacrifice to return to the Stormers, motivated by winning trophies rather than winding down his career, while warning the franchise is close to its limit on high-profile signings.
Kolbe's kicking arm eases Rassie's flyhalf headache
Kolbe's kicking form against the Barbarians gives Erasmus a safety net that softens the flyhalf selection dilemma — Rich breaks down what the Gqeberha weekend really revealed ahead of England on 4 July.
Kolbe's boot eases Rassie's flyhalf headache — but Pollard's form is a real concern
Rich's wrap identifies Pollard's form — not just the URC final but his broader Bulls season — as a genuine concern, while arguing Kolbe's confirmed place-kicking ability gives Erasmus a tactical safety valve when selecting his 10. Wiese, Kolisi, and the defensive system also feature.
Why 'Gazza' Willemse is the insurance policy Bok fans should trust
Rich maps the 2022 injury-to-opportunity parallel to argue that Libbok and Willemse provide Erasmus real cover at 10 — and that Bok fans fretting about Feinberg-Mngomezulu's absence are underselling the depth already in the system.
Willemse and De Villiers lead Stormers to 44-21 URC quarter-final win over Cardiff, but Feinberg-Mngomezulu limps off
Damian Willemse and Paul de Villiers were the standout performers as the Stormers beat Cardiff 44-21 in their URC quarter-final in Cape Town, with Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's second-half injury the main concern from an otherwise commanding display.