Stormers XXIII Eye Athlone Glory vs Cheetahs 2026

Jean-Luc du Plessis is back, the venue carries weight, and the Stormers XXIII are going to Athlone Stadium with something to prove. Head coach Tom Dawson-Squibb made that clear on Thursday ahead of Sunday's Currie Cup round four clash against the Cheetahs, insisting his reshuffled squad carries an edge that only competition for places can produce.

Du Plessis Return Boosts Stormers Backline

Du Plessis' return to flyhalf is the sole change to the backline and Dawson-Squibb did not undersell it. 'Having JL back is massive for us,' he said. 'He's the persona of our team and what we want to drive.' The skipper comes back into a side sitting fifth on the log, aware that this competition offers no margin for error. The Stormers bounced back from that sobering 41-3 hammering by the Boland Cavaliers in round two with a 36-28 win over the Sharks last weekend, and Du Plessis wants to turn momentum into a streak.

'The Boland game was a bit tough to watch, but the guys bounced back well last week,' Du Plessis said. 'It's now just for us building on that and looking to make it back-to-back.' He was equally measured about the threat Sunday's opponents bring. 'Everybody knows the Cheetahs DNA. They like to entertain and they like to keep the ball in hand and attack, and they also have experienced players in decision-making roles. When they get their tails up and get what they want, they are quite difficult to contain.' The Cheetahs arrive with Faf de Klerk, Jaco van der Walt and Clayton Blommetjies pulling strings — a backline that can ignite without warning.

Forward Pack Hungry for Athlone Challenge

Dawson-Squibb spoke openly about the hunger running through his forward pack. Flanker Xola Nyali earns his first start of the campaign after featuring in every game from the bench, while No.8 Divan Fuller returns after missing a week. 'Sometimes when you get guys playing off the bench, they get a start, they get that extra bit of hunger,' the coach said. 'You get a guy like Divan who missed out a week — he's got that extra bit of hunger.' It is exactly the internal pressure a short competition demands.

And the venue itself carries its own charge. Athlone Stadium, built in 1972, means something beyond a rugby fixture. 'It's a massive occasion and opportunity for us,' Dawson-Squibb said. 'Athlone Stadium was in many ways a place for the community to come and to express their talents. I want these guys to express their talents in front of the people there.' With the Stormers also hosting the All Blacks on Friday night in the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry tour opener at DHL Stadium, the Western Cape rugby weekend does not get much bigger. The Currie Cup mission, though, stands on its own terms. 'It's a short comp,' Dawson-Squibb said. 'There are no minnows — every single team is good. There is huge significance in our dreams of doing well in this competition.' Kick-off on Sunday is 15:00 SAST at Athlone Stadium.