Second row forward Adre Smith is the latest DHL Stormers player to lock himself into playing for the Cape franchise until at least 2027.
Coming to the Stormers from Griquas three seasons ago, Smith was a little known player back then but has proved one of Stormers coach John Dobson’s many really astute buys.
Long term contracts have become the order of the day, with both the Stormers and their rivals from Pretoria, the Vodacom Bulls, doing good business when it comes to ensuring continuity by signing up their players for three years or more.
Gone appear to be the days, certainly at those two local franchises, where players come and go as if the teams they play for a train station they are just passing through, which of course helps the coaches with their forward planning.
🔒 Lock Adré Smith is the latest player to sign-on with us until 2027
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) June 6, 2024
💬 'Since moving here three years ago I have taken my game to another level and I want to continue on that path'
Read all about it 👉 https://t.co/NWKVVZTgVx#iamastormer #dhldelivers pic.twitter.com/TBpCuN9Wl4
Smith joins Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Dan du Plessis, Ruben van Heerden, Evan Roos, Manie Libbok and Suleiman Hartzenberg in what is becoming known as the Stormers class of 2027.
The 27-year-old Smith is not a Springbok but John Dobson believes that with his size, height and potential he could yet become a world class second row forward.
Although he has played largely off the bench since regular captain Salmaan Moerat returned from injury a few months ago, Smith has played a key role in the Stormers’ recent winning run that enabled them to recover from a disastrous four match November tour to end fifth on the log and secure a playoff place against the Glasgow Warriors at the Scotstoun on Saturday night.
With JD Schickerling set to return to the Stormers for the start of next season, and the injured Hendre Stassen also as much a lock as he is a potential loose-forward, the Stormers are well stocked when it comes to second row forwards.
'IMPORTANT ROLE TO PLAY'
Even though Connor Evans is currently with Griquas, the highly promising youngster is only in Kimberley on loan and is still on the Stormers’ books.
Although he arrived in the Cape as a utility forward, as he had been used by Griquas as a blindside flank as well as a lock, the front lock position ala Bakkies Botha or Eben Etzebeth has become his specialist position.
“Adre has what it takes to be a world class second row forward and we are all excited to see him continue to grow and reach his considerable potential,” said Dobson, who doubles as the Stormers’ director of rugby.
“At over two metres tall he has the physical attributes to mix it with any opponent up front and few players are more committed to the cause. He will have an important role to play in our team over the next three years and with the list of long term extensions growing all the time we have every reason to feel excited about where this team can get to.”
Smith said he wants to make the most of the next three seasons being part of the Stormers environment.
“Since moving here three years ago I have taken my game to another level and I want to continue on that path within this system,” he said.
“I want to keep playing to my strengths and also adding more to my game to give back to the people here who have shown so much faith in my abilities.”