Stormers lure Lions prop back to Cape Town

Loosehead prop Sti Sithole has signed a deal to join the Stormers ahead of the 2023/24 season.

The 30-year-old is back where he started his professional career, having featured for Western Province at Under-19 and Under-21 levels and also playing for the Junior Springboks in 2013.

The powerful prop earned three Stormers caps as a 21-year-old in 2014 before moving to the Southern Kings. He then made the move to Johannesburg where he played for the Lions from 2017-2023.

Stormers head coach John Dobson welcomed the signing of Sithole.

"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 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," Dobson said.

Sithole said he relished the move back to Cape Town.

"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. 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," he said. 

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Sithole's signing comes fresh off the announcement that loosehead prop Lizo Gqoboka had signed with the Stormers from the Bulls.

The Stormers earlier also announced the signings of outside backs Courtnall Skosan and Ben Loader.

The Stormers are