The DHL Stormers have jumped at the opportunity to boost their options in the front row by signing a formidable scrummager from next season.
Loosehead prop Sti Sithole, who has featured for the Lions from 2017 to 2023, is back where it all began on his professional rugby journey, having signed with the inaugural Vodacom URC winners.
Having featured for Western Province U19s and U21s, Sithole represented the Junior Springboks in 2013.
The powerful prop earned three Stormers caps as a 21-year-old in 2014 and has returned to Cape Town a more experienced player with more than 100 senior caps to his name.
A strong tight-five performer with a high workrate, Sithole will add valuable depth up front for the Stormers going forward.
Head coach John Dobson said that it is great to have a player of Sithole’s calibre back in the fold.
“Sti and I know each other well, having worked together at junior level, so I know what he is capable of and I also know that he is a great fit for our squad,” he said.
“He has been an incredibly consistent performer for some years now and we are thrilled to have him back with us. He has a good head on those broad shoulders and at 30 is coming into his prime as a prop, so we are delighted to have him part of our squad again.”
Sithole said that he wants to make the most of the opportunity to pull on the Stormers jersey again.
“I couldn’t be happier to be back where it all began for me and especially with the team and the squad in the space it is right now,” he said.
“We have the potential to do great things as a group here. There has already been a lot of hard work in pre-season and I can’t wait to get going when the season starts next month.”
𝐅𝐫𝐨𝐧𝐭 𝐫𝐨𝐰 𝐟𝐨𝐫𝐜𝐞!
Prop Sti Sithole is back in Cape Town and out to make his mark for the DHL Stormers.#iamastormer #dhldelivers pic.twitter.com/PUgsaR6yNF
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) September 14, 2023
Photo: Gavin Barker/BackpagePix