Trio of young guns commit to WPPR

The trio of Nama Xaba, Kwenzo Blose and Evan Roos are the latest talented young players to commit their futures to Western Province Professional Rugby (WPPR).

Flank Xaba (three years) and loosehead prop Blose (one year) have signed contract extensions, while Roos has also signed on, having been on loan since the start of the year.

Xaba came to Cape Town straight after school and attended the Western Province Rugby Institute, serving as captain of DHL Western Province U19 in 2016 and representing the Junior Springboks in 2017. He made his DHL Western Province debut in 2019 and earned his first DHL Stormers cap in 2020.

Front row forward Blose represented the Junior Springboks in 2016 and came to the Cape in 2018, going on to make his DHL Western Province debut in 2019 and his DHL Stormers debut in 2020.

Loose forward Roos was a schoolboy star for Paarl Boys High, representing SA Schools in 2018 and returned home at the end of 2020 on loan. The dynamic 21-year-old impressed in the recent preparation matches for the DHL Stormers and has signed a three-year contract.

DHL Stormers Head Coach John Dobson said that having the likes of Xaba, Blose and Roos commit themselves to the cause is a big boost to the depth of the squad going forward.

"Nama, Kwenzo and Evan all have a very big future ahead of them and we are delighted that they saw our environment as the best place to further develop their game.

"All three players have already shown considerable potential. We are looking forward to seeing them grow further in the years to come," he said.

WPPR Chairman Ebrahim Rasool said that retaining these young talents is an encouraging sign and an important step towards realising the vision for the future.

"These players have all been in our system and have recognised the potential they have to grow further with us. We look forward to great things from all three of them.

"These signings affirm WP Rugby’s long established tradition of developing raw talent for the local and international rugby world; the right place to be for rugby potential to be given a chance for greatness," he said.