Two former captains have re-signed for Western Province and will return to Cape Town in July to join up with the team.
Springbok midfielder Juan de Jongh, who lifted the Currie Cup at Newlands in 2014, has 97 Stormers caps and played 59 times for Western Province before moving to English Premiership side Wasps in 2017.
The experienced centre, who hails from Wellington, made his Stormers debut in 2010 and went on to earn 19 Test caps for the Springboks and represented the Springbok Sevens team at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games before leaving to play in England.
De Jongh, 33, will be joined in a move back to Cape Town by 34-year-old Deon Fourie who led Western Province to the Currie Cup title in 2012 and was a key player in the Stormers team that went 14-2 in the league phase of Super Rugby that same year.
The versatile Fourie can play both hooker and in the loose trio. He made 84 appearances for the Stormers and 90 for WP before leaving for France in 2014.
De Jongh said that he cannot wait to get back where it all started for him and make meaningful contributions on and off the field for the teams he has supported his whole life.
‘Playing for the DHL Stormers and DHL Western Province was a dream of mine from a young age and I am thrilled to be returning to where it all started for me.
‘I feel that I have a lot to add and there is much that I can achieve here with the current coaching staff and players.
‘I was lucky enough to learn from some legends of the game when I was first making my way and I am excited about contributing in any way I can to taking these teams to the next level,’ he said.
Fourie said that he is excited to be joining a squad that is building something special and will look to add value in any way he can.
‘There is a formidable group of players here, combining international quality and experience with plenty of young talent, so I can’t wait to get involved.
‘It will be an honour to pull the Stormers and Western Province jerseys on again and I will be giving everything for these teams in my second debut season,’ he said.
Stormers head coach John Dobson said that De Jongh and Fourie have been brought back because they both have much to offer on the field.
‘Juan and Deon are both legends who achieved much in their time here, but we wouldn’t have signed them if we hadn’t been impressed with the rugby they have been playing.
‘These are two tough players who we know will play their hearts out for the jersey and our faithful fans and we are looking forward to seeing what they will add in the upcoming campaigns,’ he said.
