The Stormers have confirmed the signing of former Springbok and Bulls centre JJ Engelbrecht ahead of the 2018 season.

Engelbrecht will make his return to Cape Town – where he played his junior rugby – once he has concluded his commitments with Japanese side Toyota Industries Shuttles.

The Stormers have also signed young flyhalf Joshua Stander and prop Neethling Fouche from the Bulls.

Wingers Raymond Rhule and Sergeal Petersen are the other new recruits named in the Stormers’ wider pre-season training group, while a host of senior players have signed contract extensions with WP Rugby beyond the 2018 season.

With the senior Springbok and Stormers trio of Siya Kolisi, Damian de Allende and Steven Kitshoff having recently signed extensions until the end of 2019, they have since been joined by 13 further players in committing to the union for the next two years.

Experienced forwards JC Janse van Rensburg, Scarra Ntubeni, Nizaam Carr, Caylib Oosthuizen, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Ali Vermaak, as well as exciting younger talents Wilco Louw and Kobus van Dyk have all committed their immediate future to WP Rugby.

Dillyn Leyds, Jano Vermaak, SP Marais, Craig Barry and Michal Hazner are the backline players who have signed extensions.

Meanwhile, World Rugby U20 Championship Player of the Tournament Juarno Augustus, and Junior Boks captain Ernst van Ryhn are two of the young talents set to continue their careers in Cape Town.

‘We are excited about the depth of talent that we have at our disposal with a number of senior players committing, who will be able to provide valuable guidance for the talented youngsters coming through,’ Stormers director of rugby Gert Smal said.

Photo: Lee Warren/Gallo Images