Young guns sign with Stormers

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Stormers coach John Dobson is delighted to have locked down two of South Africa’s most promising players for next season.

Centre Cornel Smit (24) and hooker Andre-Hugo Venter (20) are the latest youngsters to sign contract extensions with the Stormers, after making the step up to senior rugby over the last two seasons.

“Cornel is a smart player who is poised to take his career to the next level, so we are glad that will be here where he has played all of his rugby,” Dobson said.

“Andre-Hugo is an immensely exciting prospect who has a very bright future ahead of him. We are thrilled to keep both of these players in our system and expect big things of both of them.”

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Smit represented Western Province at Craven Week in 2015 and came through the age-group ranks at the union while also featuring in midfield for Maties in the Varsity Cup. He made his Stormers debut in 2020 and is one of several homegrown talents in the current squad.

Venter, the son of Springbok hardman Andre Venter, has shown a maturity beyond his years and featured prominently at the business-end of the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, scoring a try in the final against the Vodacom Bulls.

“As a local boy I always dreamed of playing for the Stormers and it is great to have the backing of the coaches going forward,” Smit said.

Venter added: “I could not be happier with where I am with my rugby at the moment. I was really backed after coming back from injury this season and I want to contribute as much as I can to the team in the seasons ahead.”

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Photo: Shaun Roy/BackpagePix

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Devin Hermanus