Dave Ewers joins Stormers

ZIMBABWE-born loose forward Dave Ewers has moved closer to home after joining the Cape Town-based DHL Stormers on a short-term deal. His move to the Stormers comes after he was released by Ulster in June.

Ewers joins his new side as cover for the injured Evan Roos and Ben-Jason Dixon, who was called up to the Springboks team for their World Rugby Championship opener against Australia Down Under.

The move to the Stormers means that the 33-year-old experienced Zimbabwean will be playing in the 2024/25 Vodacom United Rugby Championship season. Ewers brings a wealth of experience to the Stormers, having been a member of the Exeter Chiefs side that won the European Championship Cup and the Premiership double in 2020. He played over 200 games for Exeter Chiefs before his one-season move to Ulster, where he would have played with the Stormers’ returning former URC-winning captain Steven Kitshoff.

Ewers had been living in Exeter in recent months while he looked for another club.

According to Rugby Pass, Ewers expressed his excitement about playing more rugby in the Southern Hemisphere.

“I am originally from Zimbabwe, so to be back down south is very exciting, and I am ready to get stuck in for the DHL Stormers.

“There are some incredible players in this squad, and hopefully, I can add something extra as we gear up for an exciting season,” said Ewers.

Stormers’ director of rugby, John Dobson, said that Ewers perfectly fits the profile of the kind of player they were looking for. He believes that the Zimbabwean loose forward’s experience will be key in their quest for a successful campaign.

“Dave fits the profile of what we were looking for in the short term, given we are missing some key loose-forwards due to injury. He has proven himself as a top player and has experience of what it takes to mix it with the best in Europe, so we are looking forward to seeing the impact he will make within our system,” said Dobson.

Ewers’ move to South Africa and closer to home has given some Zimbabwean rugby followers hope of seeing him turn out for his country of birth as the Sables look to bolster their squad ahead of the final qualification tournament for the 2027 World Cup. One-capped Australia centre Kyle Godwin, alongside another one-capped All Blacks loose forward Gareth Evans, are believed to be on the Sables’ radar as the Zimbabwe Rugby Union (ZRU) looks to strengthen their team in their bid to qualify for the World Cup. Ex-Junior Springboks lock Eli Synman is also tipped to return to Zimbabwe ahead of next year’s Africa Cup, which serves as the final qualification tournament for the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia.—@brandon_malvin