# 2019 Stormers season

In 2019, the Stormers participated in the 2019 Super Rugby competition, the 24th edition of the competition since its inception in 1996. They were included in the South African Conference of the competition, along with the Bulls, Jaguares, Lions and Sharks.
The Stormers won seven, drew one and lost eight of their matches during the regular season of the competition to finish fifth in the South African Conference, and in 10th place overall.

## Personnel
### Coaches and management

The Stormers coaching and management staff for the 2019 Super Rugby season were:
| 2019 Stormers coaches and management |
| Name | Title |
| Robbie Fleck | Head coach |
| Russell Winter | Forwards coach |
| Paul Feeney | Skills coach |
| Human Kriek | Technical analyst |
| Wayne Hector | Physiotherapist |
| Greg Daniels | Masseur |
| Karen Schwabe | Team doctor |
| Chippie Solomon | Team manager |

### Squad

The following players were named in the Stormers squad for the 2019 Super Rugby season:
| 2019 Stormers squad |
| Player | Position/s | Date of birth (age) | Super Rugby | Super Rugby | Stormers | Stormers |
| Player | Position/s | Date of birth (age) | Apps | Pts | Apps | Pts |
| Juarno Augustus | Loose forward | (1997-12-09)9 December 1997 (aged 21) | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Craig Barry | Fullback | (1992-04-30)30 April 1992 (aged 26) | 9 | 0 | 9 | 0 |
| Kwenzo Blose | Prop | (1997-05-12)12 May 1997 (aged 21) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jaco Coetzee | Loose forward | (1996-06-10)10 June 1996 (aged 22) | 4 | 0 | 4 | 0 |
| Damian de Allende | Centre | (1991-11-25)25 November 1991 (aged 27) | 77 | 65 | 77 | 65 |
| Paul de Wet | Scrum-half | (1996-03-16)16 March 1996 (aged 22) | 6 | 5 | 6 | 5 |
| Daniël du Plessis | Centre | (1995-03-17)17 March 1995 (aged 23) | 9 | 10 | 9 | 10 |
| Jean-Luc du Plessis | Fly-half | (1994-05-07)7 May 1994 (aged 24) | 19 | 169 | 19 | 169 |
| Johan du Toit | Lock | (1995-09-08)8 September 1995 (aged 23) | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Pieter-Steph du Toit | Lock | (1992-08-20)20 August 1992 (aged 26) | 67 | 15 | 40 | 15 |
| JJ Engelbrecht | Centre | (1989-02-22)22 February 1989 (aged 29) | 76 | 60 | 11 | 15 |
| Eben Etzebeth | Lock | (1991-10-29)29 October 1991 (aged 27) | 54 | 20 | 54 | 20 |
| Neethling Fouché | Prop | (1993-01-10)10 January 1993 (aged 26) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Corné Fourie | Prop | (1988-09-02)2 September 1988 (aged 30) | 64 | 30 | 0 | 0 |
| Herschel Jantjies | Scrum-half | (1996-04-22)22 April 1996 (aged 22) | 1 | 0 | 1 | 0 |
| Dan Jooste | Hooker | (1998-02-21)21 February 1998 (aged 20) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Steven Kitshoff | Prop | (1992-02-10)10 February 1992 (aged 27) | 78 | 10 | 78 | 10 |
| Siya Kolisi | Loose forward | (1991-06-16)16 June 1991 (aged 27) | 104 | 80 | 104 | 80 |
| Dan Kriel | Centre | (1994-02-15)15 February 1994 (aged 25) | 13 | 0 | 10 | 0 |
| Michael Kumbirai | Prop | (1996-05-09)9 May 1996 (aged 22) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dillyn Leyds | Wing | (1992-09-12)12 September 1992 (aged 26) | 53 | 100 | 50 | 100 |
| Wilco Louw | Prop | (1994-07-20)20 July 1994 (aged 24) | 33 | 25 | 33 | 25 |
| Frans Malherbe | Prop | (1991-03-14)14 March 1991 (aged 27) | 85 | 15 | 85 | 15 |
| SP Marais | Fullback | (1989-03-16)16 March 1989 (aged 29) | 68 | 142 | 22 | 124 |
| Chris Massyn | Flank | (1994-06-03)3 June 1994 (aged 24) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Lee-Marvin Mazibuko | Prop | (1997-10-12)12 October 1997 (aged 21) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bongi Mbonambi | Hooker | (1991-01-07)7 January 1991 (aged 28) | 64 | 5 | 49 | 5 |
| David Meihuizen | Lock | (1997-11-13)13 November 1997 (aged 21) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Salmaan Moerat | Lock | (1998-06-03)3 June 1998 (aged 20) | 3 | 0 | 3 | 0 |
| Ruhan Nel | Centre | (1991-05-17)17 May 1991 (aged 27) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sikhumbuzo Notshe | Loose forward | (1993-05-28)28 May 1993 (aged 25) | 52 | 65 | 52 | 65 |
| Scarra Ntubeni | Hooker | (1991-02-18)18 February 1991 (aged 27) | 52 | 20 | 52 | 20 |
| Sergeal Petersen | Wing | (1994-08-01)1 August 1994 (aged 24) | 28 | 60 | 0 | 0 |
| Justin Phillips | Scrum-half | (1995-02-03)3 February 1995 (aged 24) | 13 | 5 | 13 | 5 |
| Marno Redelinghuys | Flank | (1997-11-13)13 November 1997 (aged 21) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Duncan Saal | Wing | (1996-10-24)24 October 1996 (aged 22) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ramone Samuels | Hooker | (1994-11-03)3 November 1994 (aged 24) | 35 | 15 | 32 | 15 |
| JD Schickerling | Lock | (1995-05-09)9 May 1995 (aged 23) | 21 | 5 | 21 | 5 |
| Seabelo Senatla | Wing | (1993-02-10)10 February 1993 (aged 26) | 19 | 25 | 19 | 25 |
| Chad Solomon | Hooker | (1994-02-23)23 February 1994 (aged 24) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Joshua Stander | Fly-half | (1994-01-01)1 January 1994 (aged 25) | 2 | 12 | 2 | 12 |
| Edwill van der Merwe | Wing | (1996-04-12)12 April 1996 (aged 22) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kobus van Dyk | Loose forward | (1994-07-06)6 July 1994 (aged 24) | 21 | 5 | 21 | 5 |
| Ernst van Rhyn | Lock | (1997-09-19)19 September 1997 (aged 21) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chris van Zyl | Lock | (1986-07-12)12 July 1986 (aged 32) | 26 | 5 | 26 | 5 |
| Alistair Vermaak | Prop | (1989-04-28)28 April 1989 (aged 29) | 24 | 0 | 24 | 0 |
| Jano Vermaak | Scrum-half | (1985-01-01)1 January 1985 (aged 34) | 122 | 108 | 18 | 5 |
| EW Viljoen | Fullback | (1995-05-09)9 May 1995 (aged 23) | 28 | 35 | 28 | 35 |
| Cobus Wiese | Loose forward | (1997-06-02)2 June 1997 (aged 21) | 16 | 5 | 16 | 5 |
| Damian Willemse | Fly-half | (1998-05-07)7 May 1998 (aged 20) | 16 | 130 | 16 | 130 |
| Nama Xaba | Flank | (1997-07-26)26 July 1997 (aged 21) | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Note: Players' ages and statistics are correct as of 15 February 2019, the date of the opening round of the competition. |

## Standings

The final standings for the 2019 Super Rugby season are:
2019 Super Rugby: Overall standings :
| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts | Qualification |
| 1 | Crusaders | 16 | 11 | 3 | 2 | 497 | 257 | +240 | 73 | 31 | 8 | 0 | 58 | Conference leaders Qualified to the finals |
| 2 | Jaguares | 16 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 461 | 352 | +109 | 60 | 38 | 5 | 2 | 51 | Conference leaders Qualified to the finals |
| 3 | Brumbies | 16 | 10 | 0 | 6 | 430 | 366 | +64 | 65 | 49 | 5 | 3 | 48 | Conference leaders Qualified to the finals |
| 4 | Hurricanes | 16 | 12 | 1 | 3 | 449 | 362 | +87 | 60 | 46 | 3 | 0 | 53 | Wildcard teams Qualified to finals |
| 5 | Bulls | 16 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 410 | 369 | +41 | 42 | 50 | 3 | 2 | 41 | Wildcard teams Qualified to finals |
| 6 | Sharks | 16 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 343 | 335 | +8 | 40 | 39 | 3 | 4 | 37 | Wildcard teams Qualified to finals |
| 7 | Chiefs | 16 | 7 | 2 | 7 | 451 | 465 | −14 | 63 | 59 | 2 | 2 | 36 | Wildcard teams Qualified to finals |
| 8 | Highlanders | 16 | 6 | 3 | 7 | 441 | 392 | +49 | 60 | 53 | 2 | 4 | 36 | Wildcard teams Qualified to finals |
| 9 | Lions | 16 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 401 | 478 | −77 | 53 | 64 | 2 | 1 | 35 | |
| 10 | Stormers | 16 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 344 | 366 | −22 | 34 | 46 | 1 | 4 | 35 | |
| 11 | Rebels | 16 | 7 | 0 | 9 | 393 | 465 | −72 | 56 | 61 | 3 | 3 | 34 | |
| 12 | Waratahs | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 367 | 415 | −48 | 46 | 54 | 0 | 6 | 30 | |
| 13 | Blues | 16 | 5 | 1 | 10 | 347 | 369 | −22 | 45 | 47 | 2 | 6 | 30 | |
| 14 | Reds | 16 | 6 | 0 | 10 | 385 | 438 | −53 | 50 | 59 | 1 | 3 | 28 | |
| 15 | Sunwolves | 16 | 2 | 0 | 14 | 294 | 584 | −290 | 34 | 85 | 0 | 4 | 12 | |
South African Conference :
| Pos | Teamvte | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | TF | TA | TB | LB | Pts |
| 1 | Jaguares | 16 | 11 | 0 | 5 | 461 | 352 | +109 | 60 | 38 | 5 | 2 | 51 |
| 2 | Bulls | 16 | 8 | 2 | 6 | 410 | 369 | +41 | 42 | 50 | 3 | 2 | 41 |
| 3 | Sharks | 16 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 343 | 335 | +8 | 40 | 39 | 3 | 4 | 37 |
| 4 | Lions | 16 | 8 | 0 | 8 | 401 | 478 | −77 | 53 | 64 | 2 | 1 | 35 |
| 5 | Stormers | 16 | 7 | 1 | 8 | 344 | 366 | −22 | 34 | 46 | 1 | 4 | 35 |
* Competition rules
* Qualification: Eight teams will qualify to the finals, with their final positions in the overall log determining their seedings in the quarter-finals. The conference winners will be seeded #1 to #3 for the quarter-finals, in order of log points gained during the group stages, while the wildcards will be seeded as #4 to #8 in order of log points gained during the group stages. In the quarter-finals, the three conference winners and the highest-ranked wildcard team will host the first round of the finals, with the highest-seeded conference winner (Team #1) hosting the fifth-seeded wildcard entry (Team #8) in quarter-final 1, the second-seeded conference winner (Team #2) hosting the fourth-seeded wildcard entry (Team #7) in quarter-final 3, the third-seeded conference winner (Team #3) hosting the third-seeded wildcard entry (Team #6) in quarter-final 4 and the top-seeded wildcard entry (Team #4) hosting the second-seed wildcard entry (Team #5) in quarter-final 2. The quarter-final winners will progress to the semi-finals, where the winners of quarter-finals 1 and 2 will play each other, as well as the winners of quarter-finals 3 and 4, each tie hosted by the higher-seeded team. The winner of the semi-finals will progress to the Final, again to be held at the venue of the highest-seeded team.
* Tournament points breakdown: * 4 tournament points for a win * 2 tournament points for a draw * 1 tournament bonus point for a loss by seven points or less * 1 tournament bonus point for scoring at least three tries more than the opponent in a match
* Classification: Teams standings are calculated as follows: * Conference leaders * Tournament points * Number of games won * Overall points difference * Number of tries scored * Overall try difference * Coin toss

### Round-by-round

The table below shows the Stormers' progression throughout the season. For each round, their cumulative points total is shown with the overall log position:
| Team | R1 | R2 | R3 | R4 | R5 | R6 | R7 | R8 | R9 | R10 | R11 | R12 | R13 | R14 | R15 | R16 | R17 | R18 | QF | SF | Final |
| Opposition | BUL | LIO | SHA | Bye | JAG | HUR | BLU | RED | REB | BRU | BUL | JAG | Bye | CRU | HIG | LIO | SUN | SHA | — | — | — |
| Cumulative Points | 0 | 4 | 8 | 8 | 13 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 18 | 19 | 23 | 24 | 24 | 26 | 30 | 30 | 34 | 35 | — | — | — |
| Position (overall) | 15th | 11th | 8th | 10th | 6th | 6th | 9th | 11th | 10th | 10th | 7th | 8th | 10th | 12th | 9th | 11th | 7th | 10th | — | — | — |
| Position (SA Conf.) | 5th | 5th | 4th | 5th | 3rd | 3rd | 4th | 5th | 4th | 4th | 4th | 4th | 5th | 5th | 5th | 5th | 4th | 5th | — | — | — |
| Key: | win | draw | loss | bye | |

## Matches

The Stormers played the following matches during the 2019 Super Rugby season:

## Player statistics

The Super Rugby appearance record for players that represented the Stormers in 2019 is as follows:
| 2019 Stormers player statistics |
| Player name | BUL | LIO | SHA | JAG | HUR | BLU | RED | REB | BRU | BUL | JAG | CRU | HIG | LIO | SUN | SHA | QF | SF | F | | App | Try | Con | Pen | DG | Pts |
| Alistair Vermaak | 1 | 1 | 1 | | | | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | — | | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Bongi Mbonambi | 2 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 2 | 2 | 16 | 2 | 2 | | | 2 | 2 | — | — | — | | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Wilco Louw | 3 | | 18 | 18 | 18 | 3 | | 3 | 3 | 18 | 3 | | 18 | 3 | 18 | 18 | — | — | — | | 13 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Salmaan Moerat | 4 | | | | 19 | | 19 | 4 | 4 | | | | | | | | — | — | — | | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| JD Schickerling | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | 5 | | | | | 5 | 5 | | | | | | — | — | — | | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Siya Kolisi | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | 6 | | 20 | 6 | | 6 | 6 | | | | — | — | — | | 11 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 20 |
| Pieter-Steph du Toit | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | 7 | | | 7 | 7 | | 7 | 5 | | | | — | — | — | | 10 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sikhumbuzo Notshe | 8 | 8 | | | | | | | | | 20 | 20 | 20 | 8 | | | — | — | — | | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jano Vermaak | 9 | 9 | | | | | | | | | | | | | 21 | 9 | — | — | — | | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Damian Willemse | 10 | 15 | 15 | 23 | 23 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | 15 | | | — | — | — | | 14 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 0 | 13 |
| SP Marais | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 23 | 23 | | | | | | | | | | — | — | — | | 7 | 0 | 6 | 14 | 0 | 54 |
| Damian de Allende | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | 12 | | 12 | 22 | 12 | 12 | 12 | | 12 | — | — | — | | 14 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Ruhan Nel | 13 | 13 | 22 | 22 | 13 | | 13 | 13 | 13 | | | | | | | | — | — | — | | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| JJ Engelbrecht | 14 | | | | | | | | 22 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | 13 | — | — | — | | 9 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dillyn Leyds | 15 | | 23 | 15 | 15 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 11 | 15 | 15 | — | — | — | | 15 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Scarra Ntubeni | 16 | 16 | 16 | 2 | 16 | 16 | 2 | 16 | 16 | 2 | 16 | 16 | 2 | | | 16 | — | — | — | | 14 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Corné Fourie | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 1 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | 17 | — | — | — | | 16 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Neethling Fouché | 18 | 18 | | | | | | | 18 | | 18 | 18 | | | | | — | — | — | | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chris van Zyl | 19 | 4 | 19 | | 4 | 5 | 5 | | | | | | | | 5 | 5 | — | — | — | | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Kobus van Dyk | 20 | | | | | | 7 | 7 | 8 | 8 | 8 | 19 | 7 | | | | — | — | — | | 8 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Herschel Jantjies | 21 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 21 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | 9 | | — | — | — | | 15 | 5 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 25 |
| Jean-Luc du Plessis | 22 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | 10 | | 10 | 10 | 22 | 22 | 22 | 10 | 22 | — | — | — | | 15 | 1 | 10 | 12 | 0 | 61 |
| Daniël du Plessis | 23 | 23 | 13 | 13 | 22 | 13 | | | | | | | | | | | — | — | — | | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Frans Malherbe | | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 18 | 3 | 18 | | 3 | | 3 | 3 | 18 | 3 | 3 | — | — | — | | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Sergeal Petersen | | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | 14 | | | | | | — | — | — | | 10 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Eben Etzebeth | | 19 | 4 | 4 | | 4 | | | | 19 | 4 | 4 | | 4 | | | — | — | — | | 8 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Jaco Coetzee | | 20 | 8 | 20 | 20 | 8 | 8 | 8 | | | 6 | 8 | 8 | 6 | 8 | 8 | — | — | — | | 13 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 15 |
| Joshua Stander | | 22 | | | | 22 | 22 | 22 | 10 | 22 | | 10 | 10 | 10 | 22 | 10 | — | — | — | | 11 | 1 | 12 | 10 | 0 | 59 |
| Juarno Augustus | | | 20 | 8 | 8 | 20 | 20 | 20 | | | | | | | | | — | — | — | | 6 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Justin Phillips | | | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 9 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | 21 | | 21 | — | — | — | | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Steven Kitshoff | | | | 1 | 1 | 1 | 17 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | 1 | — | — | — | | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Cobus Wiese | | | | 19 | | 19 | 4 | 5 | 5 | 4 | 7 | 5 | 4 | 5 | 4 | 4 | — | — | — | | 12 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Michael Kumbirai | | | | | | | 18 | | | | | | | | | | — | — | — | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Ernst van Rhyn | | | | | | | | 6 | 6 | 20 | | | | 19 | 6 | 6 | — | — | — | | 6 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Johan du Toit | | | | | | | | 19 | 19 | | 19 | | 19 | 7 | 7 | 7 | — | — | — | | 7 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| Seabelo Senatla | | | | | | | | 23 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 14 | 14 | 14 | | 14 | — | — | — | | 8 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 10 |
| Dan Kriel | | | | | | | | | 12 | | 12 | 23 | 23 | 23 | 12 | 23 | — | — | — | | 7 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chad Solomon | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | 2 | 16 | | — | — | — | | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Dan Jooste | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 16 | | | — | — | — | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Marno Redelinghuys | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 20 | | | — | — | — | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Edwill van der Merwe | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 11 | 11 | — | — | — | | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Craig Barry | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 14 | | — | — | — | | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 5 |
| David Meihuizen | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 19 | 19 | — | — | — | | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Chris Massyn | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 20 | 20 | — | — | — | | 2 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| EW Viljoen | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | 23 | | — | — | — | | 1 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | penalty try | | – | 1 | – | – | – | 7 |
| Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | Total | 16 | 34 | 29 | 38 | 0 | 344 |
(c) denotes the team captain. For each match, the player's squad number is shown. Starting players are numbered 1 to 15, while the replacements are numbered 16 to 23. If a replacement made an appearance in the match, it is indicated by . "App" refers to the number of appearances made by the player, "Try" to the number of tries scored by the player, "Con" to the number of conversions kicked, "Pen" to the number of penalties kicked, "DG" to the number of drop goals kicked and "Pts" refer to the total number of points scored by the player.
* Kwenzo Blose, Paul de Wet, Lee-Marvin Mazibuko, Duncan Saal, Ramone Samuels and Nama Xaba did not make any appearances.