JJ Engelbrecht returns to the Stormers

The Stormers have confirmed the return of Springbok centre JJ Engelbrech as they prepare for the 2018 Super Rugby season.

Engelbrecht will make his return to Cape Town once he has concluded his commitments with Japanese side Toyota Industries Shuttles early next year.

The 28-year-old, 12-Test Springbok, played for the Stormers between 2008 and 2011 before heading off to join the Bulls in Pretoria. 

A host of senior players have signed contract extensions with the Stormers and Western Province 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 the engine room at Newlands.

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

While the likes of Springboks Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit are also all currently on contracts which run until the end of 2019.

There are also a number of current Under-19 and Under-21 players that have signed contract extensions, with World Rugby Under-20 Championship Player of the Tournament Juarno Augustus and Junior Springbok captain Ernst van Rhyn two of the young talents set to continue their careers with Western Province Rugby.

The wider training squad also includes new recruits Sergeal Petersen, Joshua Stander and Neethling Fouche. Raymond Rhule will join training in January along with the rest of the Springboks in the squad.