DHL MESSAGE
The first home game of a new season is always an exciting occasion and this Saturday we have a replay of the 2022-23 Grand Final as the DHL Stormers take on Munster at DHL Stadium.
Both teams out there are sponsored by DHL, which makes this an especially proud moment for us as Cape Town hosts another ‘DHL derby’.
After a three-week tour in Europe the team will get to run out on home turf and will be keen to make their home advantage count against the Irish side.
While we didn’t have things all our own way on the road, the team have shown some promising signs already this
season and will be boosted by having their passionate suppporters right behind them this weekend.
We were thrilled to recently confirm another threeyear extension of our title sponsorship of the team. It has been 13 years since we first joined forces and we are as excited as ever about the path ahead.
Thanks to all of you who are coming out to show your support for the first home game of what promises to be another epic season of DHL Stormers rugby.
#DHLDelivers
Megan Collinicos VP Marketing Sub-Saharan Africa
Message from the COACH
After starting our season with a three-week tour overseas, we couldn't be happier to be back home in Cape Town and playing at DHL Stadium this weekend.
There was real disappointment with the result in Edinburgh last week and as a group we are determined to see a big reaction on the pitch this Saturday.
We have shown some pleasing signs in our three games this season, but the outcome was not what we were aiming for and that makes this game against Munster a crucial one for us to show what we are all about.
We have established set-piece dominance in all three games and shown some pleasing signs on attack, but it is now time for us to put together a complete performance and show that we will be a force to be reckoned with this season.
Thanks to all of you who stand by us no matter what, we want to show what it means to play for this team by delivering a performance you can be proud of this weekend.
JohnDobson DHL Stormers Director of Rugby
readytospark RED-HOT ZAS
Speedster Leolin Zas can’t wait for the DHL Stormers’ first game back at DHL Stadium this weekend and continue his impressive start to the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
After a challenging threematch European tour, the DHL Stormers are eager to bounce back in front of their home fans on Saturday, when they host Irish outfit Munster in round five of the Vodacom URC.
Despite the early setbacks, there is no sense of panic within the DHL Stormers camp and Zas, one of the squad’s experienced players, remains optimistic about the road ahead.
The left winger scored two tries to help the DHL Stormers claim a bonuspoint victory over Zebre Parma at Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi two weeks ago, after opening his account in 2024-25 against the Ospreys.
Zas played a key role as the DHL Stormers charged towards the inaugural Vodacom URC title in 2021-22. He scored 11 tries over the course of the regular season to end
the campaign at the top of the charts, and was one of five players from the DHL Stormers included in the league’s Dream Team.
Looking ahead to Saturday’s encounter, the flyer believes that the Capetonians are well positioned to turn things around.
“We’ve been here before. Over the last two seasons we have bounced back, after losing four games in a row last season and only getting one win on tour in the first season,” he said.
The DHL Stormers’ resilience has been a hallmark of their recent campaigns, and Zas credits the coaching staff for instilling confidence and providing the players with the freedom to play their natural game.
“The coaches must get plenty of credit. Even though the tour didn’t go our way, we know why, but we still have
the freedom to express ourselves on the pitch,” he explained. “We know what to work on. The good thing is that it’s in our system and in our control.”
As the team gears up to face Munster, Zas stressed that the earlyseason struggles are no cause for alarm.
The 28-year-old draws on the DHL Stormers’ past experiences of tough stretches overseas before returning to winning ways in Cape Town.
“This is only the third game of the season. We just need to be patient. It will come,” he stated. “As I said, we’ve been in this position before. Once the ball starts to stick for us, we will be up there again.”
He also emphasised the importance of reconnecting with loved ones and resetting mentally
ahead of Saturday’s clash in Cape Town.
“It’s been good to see the family and just get a hug. It’s also good to sleep in your own bed for once,” said Zas, underscoring the value of recharging after a tough tour.
Saturday's clash with Munster presents a formidable challenge, as the DHL Stormers are hunting a first win against the Red Army from Limerick.
It’s a repeat of a thrilling 2022-23 Vodacom URC final between the teams in the shadow of Table Mountain, the Irish visitors narrowly beating the DHL Stormers in the showpiece at DHL Stadium.
“The guys are very calm. We aren’t living in the past. What has happened has happened,” Zas noted. “We are just focusing on Saturday. It was a tough loss against Edinburgh, but we are up for this game.”
SATURDAY, 19 OCTOBER
KICK-OFF: 18:00, DHL STADIUM
DHL Stormers
15. Warrick Gelant
14. Suleiman Hartzenberg
13. Ruhan Nel
12. Dan du Plessis (c)
11. Leolin Zas
10. Damian Willemse
9. Paul de Wet
8. Keke Morabe
7. Ben-Jason Dixon
6. Marcel Theunissen
5. JD Schickerling
4. Adré Smith
3. Neethling Fouché
2. Joseph Dweba
1. Sti Sithole
REPLACEMENTS
16. André-Hugo Venter
17. Brok Harris
18. Sazi Sandi
19. Ruben van Heerden
20. David Ewers
21. Louw Nel
22. Herschel Jantjies
23. Jurie Matthee
DIRECTOR OF RUGBY John Dobson
15. Mike Haley
14. Calvin Nash
13. Tom Farrell
12. Alex Nankivell
11. Shane Daly
10. Jack Crowley
9. Conor Murray
8. Jack O’Donoghue
7. Alex Kendellen
6. Tom Ahern
5. Tadhg Beirne (c)
4. Jean Kleyn
3. John Ryan
2. Niall Scannell
1. Jeremy Loughman
REPLACEMENTS
16. Eoghan Clarke
17. Kieran Ryan
18. Stephen Archer
19. Fineen Wycherley
20. Ruadhán Quinn
21. Ethan Coughlan
22. Billy Burns
23. Seán O’Brien
HEAD COACH Graham Rowntree
SCHICKERLING
excitedforDHLStormers homecoming
Experienced lock JD Schickerling can’t wait to run out for the DHL Stormers at DHL Stadium and is looking forward to the challenge that awaits him and his teammates against Irish club Munster in Round Five of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship.
How has it been returning to Cape Town and how have you fitted back into the squad?
It’s been a real enjoyable time for me coming back home and being back with the DHL Stormers. Also being back in Cape Town and seeing my family again. I’m just really excited to be back with them.
What did your experience in Japan add to you as a rugby player and a person?
Going to Japan, my lineout work improved immensely, and it also challenged me to learn about different cultures and how players over there think and approach the game as well as working alongside them. I developed quite a bit in that department.
Family is important to you. Have you enjoyed reconnecting with some old friends as well since you have got back?
Family is very important to me, and it has been amazing reconnecting with them. It’s also been great meeting up with old friends, especially those outside of rugby. It’s always nice seeing them.
You have quickly developed a good partnership with Ruben van Heerden and the lineouts were a standout feature of the team’s game on tour. How have you enjoyed that aspect of things?
It’s been amazing working with Ruben, and with Adré Smith. It’s been very easy actually, they’re quality players and we share
our knowledge of the game, trying to put together the perfect plan for the weekend.
How excited are you to be playing your first home game back at DHL Stadium this weekend?
I’m extremely excited. You always enjoy playing your home games, in front of your home crowd. I’m looking forward to seeing
everyone come out and support the team.
What are you expecting from Munster?
It’s my first time playing against Munster but I know they’re a worldclass outfit. We expect them to be very physical and we’re looking forward to that physical battle. It’s exciting to play such a quality side at home, and we’re going out there to give a good performance.
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