Griquas stars join Stormers in their URC preparations

A development agreement between the Stormers and Griquas will see a group of the Kimberley team's players join up with the Capetonians as they prepare for the 2024/25 URC campaign.

The agreement, which was announced earlier this year, enables players to move between the two squads on loan agreements. It also includes collaboration between staff members of the two franchises.

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With Griquas' Currie Cup campaign now completed, fullback Connor Mahoney, lock Dylan Sjoblom and prop Leon Lyons have already joined the Stormers, while winger Dylan Maart, loose forward Marco de Witt and prop Cebo Dlamini will also head for Cape Town at a later stage.

Winger Sako Makata has returned to the Stormers fold, having played for Griquas in the Currie Cup, while the likes of prop Sazi Sandi and lock Connor Evans also played for Griquas earlier this year.

Stormers director of rugby John Dobson said the agreement proved beneficial for both parties.

"It was so valuable for some of our players to get some game time for Griquas in the SA Cup earlier this year and now we see the agreement working the other way as we ramp up preparations for the URC, which is three weeks away.

"We have seen some stand-out performances from these players in the Currie Cup and we are looking forward to working with them to see what they can add within our system.

"This is an important step forward in this partnership we have formed with Griquas, and we are looking forward to seeing it grow further in the future," Dobson said in a statement.

A group of Suzuki Griquas players will join the DHL Stormers squad for their pre-season preparations as part of the development agreement