Cheslin Kolbe has confirmed his return to the DHL Stormers on a deal running through to 2029, bringing the Springbok winger back to South Africa after successful stints in France and Japan. The 32-year-old made 49 appearances for the Stormers in his first spell with the franchise before departing for Europe.
Kolbe said the decision represented a significant moment for his family. "Cape Town and this team have played such a big role in my life and career," he said. "When I left, it was always with the hope that one day I would come back home and represent this team again. To have that opportunity now means a huge amount to my family and I."
Stormers director of rugby John Dobson emphasised that Kolbe had made commercial sacrifices to facilitate the move and stressed the signing was not a marquee recruitment that had broken the bank. "This is a guy who really wanted to come back to Cape Town and he wanted to play for the Stormers," Dobson said. "He has made a commercial sacrifice around that which confirms his commitment to the team."
Dobson also dismissed suggestions that the move represented a retirement plan for Kolbe. "This is a guy who will still be playing for us in 2029," he said. "Him coming back is not a retirement thing. He wants to come back to win big trophies with the Stormers. He's so excited about that."
The signing forms part of the Stormers' Project 2029 strategy, with Wilco Louw and Siya Kolisi also having returned to the Cape Town franchise. Kolbe said he believed in the vision and wanted to contribute both on and off the field.