The DHL Stormers have pulled off another coup in announcing Suleiman Hartzenberg as the latest young star to sign on for another three seasons with the Cape franchise.
With the Stormers now having an equity partner in the form of the Red Disa Consortium, and with players wanting to commit long term to playing for the Stormers’ popular and successful coach John Dobson, the announcements of contract extensions are coming thick and fast.
Hartzenberg joins Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Dan du Plessis, Ruben van Heerden, Springbok flyhalf Manie Libbok and star No 8 Evan Roos in signing up for another three years, but the smart money will be on the announcements not ending there.
More good times coming with Suleiman Hartzenberg signed to 2027. #iamastormer #dhldelivers pic.twitter.com/o8TsPIcekB
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) May 30, 2024
Like the equally young Feinberg-Mngomezulu, the 21-year-old Hartzenberg has been described as a generational player by Dobson and he has done enough already at the Stormers to make it hard to believe he is still so young.
He made his debut at the age of just 19 after being earmarked as a future star when he stood out in the midfield while still at school at Bishops.
Hartzenberg has played most of his recent games for the Stormers on the wing but he has also impressed at centre and that is well where he could morph to later in his career, just like Canan Moodie at the Vodacom Bulls.
“Suleiman is a player who has shown incredible natural talent from a young age yet also has an impressive capacity to take information on and improve his game,” said director of rugby Dobson.
“He was desperately unlucky to miss out on the Junior Springbok campaign last year due to injury, but it is fantastic that his form has been recognised with a call-up to the recent Springbok alignment camps.
“We are thrilled that he has committed to our team and we know that will be even greater things to come from him and the rest of his teammates who have signed on until 2027.”
Hartzenberg said he could not be happier than to sign on with the team he grew up supporting.
“As a Cape Town boy I am living my dream playing for the Stormers and if the last two years are anything to go by, we all have a lot to look forward to,” he said.
“The environment here is truly special and I want to continue growing my game in the Stormers system surrounded by some world class players and coaches.”
✍️ Add Suleiman Hartzenberg to the list of DHL Stormers players staying in Cape Town until 2027.
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) May 30, 2024
💬 'As a Cape Town boy I am living my dream playing for the DHL Stormers'
Full announcement https://t.co/RQKeuewdAp#iamastormer #dhldelivers pic.twitter.com/EYJs8q9G3s