As the Vodacom URC Stormers gear up for a clash with the Dragons, their secondary squad, Stormers XXIII, is set to measure its mettle against the Seattle Seawolves in a post-URC match showdown at Cape Town Stadium. This encounter, scheduled right after the main event at 3pm, is more than just a game; it's a strategic play to test the depth and recovery of key players like Jean-Luc du Plessis and Oli Kebble.
Norman Laker, the Stormers' defence coach, highlighted the importance of this fixture, saying,
"It’s quite nice for us to get a game against a quality outfit like the Seattle Seawolves to see what our depth looks like."
With eyes also set on evaluating the rugby standards across the Atlantic, Laker added, "It will also be interesting to see what the level of rugby is like in America."
The Seattle Seawolves, established in 2017 and twice MLR champions, bring a seasoned squad with notable South African talents such as Riekert Hattingh, Dan Kriel, Duncan Matthews, and Malembe Mpofu. Their presence in Cape Town is part of a pre-season partnership designed to fine-tune their squad ahead of the 2026 MLR season through rigorous training sessions at local facilities.
Seawolves coach Allen Clarke expressed the mutual benefits of this collaboration, saying,
"The collaboration stemmed from one of our owners whose vision was to partner with a strong, established brand to help grow rugby in the United States, both on the field, as well as commercially."
He emphasized the strategic nature of their South African stint: "It’s about player welfare and understanding that we are still putting our building blocks in place. So we have two weeks of solo training, analysis and prep, with the opportunity to play a Stormers XXIII on Sunday."
The cross-continental alliance not only aims to elevate the game in the U.S. but also fortifies the Stormers' international footprint, potentially paving the way for future American tours. With the Stormers lauded for their top-tier facilities and championship pedigree, and the Seawolves admired for their stable growth and clear vision, this matchup is more than just a game; it's a glimpse into the future of international rugby collaborations.
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As the Vodacom URC Stormers gear up for a clash with the Dragons, their secondary squad, Stormers XXIII, is set to measure its mettle against the Seattle Seawolves in a post-URC match showdown at Cape Town Stadium. This encounter, scheduled right after the main event at 3pm, is more than just a game; it's a strategic play to test the depth and recovery of key players like Jean-Luc du Plessis and Oli Kebble.
Norman Laker, the Stormers' defence coach, highlighted the importance of this fixture, saying,
"It’s quite nice for us to get a game against a quality outfit like the Seattle Seawolves to see what our depth looks like."
With eyes also set on evaluating the rugby standards across the Atlantic, Laker added, "It will also be interesting to see what the level of rugby is like in America."The Seattle Seawolves, established in 2017 and twice MLR champions, bring a seasoned squad with notable South African talents such as Riekert Hattingh, Dan Kriel, Duncan Matthews, and Malembe Mpofu. Their presence in Cape Town is part of a pre-season partnership designed to fine-tune their squad ahead of the 2026 MLR season through rigorous training sessions at local facilities.
Seawolves coach Allen Clarke expressed the mutual benefits of this collaboration, saying,
"The collaboration stemmed from one of our owners whose vision was to partner with a strong, established brand to help grow rugby in the United States, both on the field, as well as commercially."
He emphasized the strategic nature of their South African stint: "It’s about player welfare and understanding that we are still putting our building blocks in place. So we have two weeks of solo training, analysis and prep, with the opportunity to play a Stormers XXIII on Sunday."The cross-continental alliance not only aims to elevate the game in the U.S. but also fortifies the Stormers' international footprint, potentially paving the way for future American tours. With the Stormers lauded for their top-tier facilities and championship pedigree, and the Seawolves admired for their stable growth and clear vision, this matchup is more than just a game; it's a glimpse into the future of international rugby collaborations.