Western Province Professional Rugby and Windhoek Draught Griquas/Griqualand-West Rugby Union have signed a strategic player development agreement.
The agreement enables Windhoek Draught Griquas players to ultimately represent the DHL Stormers and also introduces a player loan structure that allows Stormers players to join Griquas.
It’s hoped that the initiative will improve the depth and competitiveness of the Kimberley team’s squad and provide additional competitive playing time for those Stormers players on loan.
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The two franchises already enjoy a rich history of working together to develop players. Current DHL Stormers players such as Stefan Ungerer and Adre Smith developed through an informal relationship with Windhoek Draught Griquas, and lock Dylan Sjöblom (who played in the Investec Champions Cup match against Leicester Tigers) is on loan from Griquas. Meanwhile, Stormers prop Leon Lyons and scrumhalf Thomas Bursey have both joined Griquas to continue their rugby development.
Both teams have agreed to collaborate on staff development, providing opportunities for staff to learn from one another and share best practice.
WP Rugby and GWK players will be managed and developed in a co-ordinated way so that the transition of players to Vodacom United Rugby Championship level rugby is better achieved.