"I’ve always thought of myself as an emotional character; I like to play with my heart on my sleeve," Nel revealed. He stepped up as captain last season when Salmaan Moerat departed for La Rochelle, demonstrating his capability to lead.
"This role was actually given to me last season; the coaches thought they’d give Salmaan a break. I remember sitting in bed the evening before the Leinster game, thinking: ‘This isn’t going to work out for me.’ But here we are. I honestly hope and pray that we can make this season special."
The Stormers are scheduled to start their campaign on the road against Connacht on 25 September, followed by a face-off with Edinburgh. Their first game in front of a home crowd will see them battle the Sharks on 10 October. Last season, the team's journey to the playoffs was marked by 12 wins, five losses, and a draw, but they were stopped short of the final by Leinster in Dublin.
Nel emphasizes the need for tactical adaptability to stay ahead of the competition. "You can’t go from season to season playing the same style," he insists, pointing to the dynamic nature of modern rugby where weekly analyses can make or break a team's strategy.
"The game has evolved so much; teams analyse you on a weekly basis, looking to counter your scrum or maul, or trap you in transition. With the guys coming back from Bok duty and new signings like Cheslin Kolbe and Siya Kolisi, teams will be trying to find plans to box them in. For us, it’s about evolving our game to get these guys into the match effectively," Nel elaborated on the strategic shifts planned for the upcoming season.
The team's blend of youth and experience is a critical factor, as Nel pointed out. "The youngsters coming through aren’t just pushing us for places; they’re pushing national guys for places. Most of us don’t have the luxury of putting on a Springbok jersey for six months of the year. Every morning we wake up, put on the Stormers badge and just do the work," he remarked, emphasizing the daily commitment required at the club level.
The Stormers have set a lofty goal for themselves: to replicate last season's strong start and hopefully conclude with a final win to bring the trophy back to Cape Town. With strategic adjustments, the integration of key players, and the fired-up leadership of Ruhan Nel, the Stormers are gearing up for what could be a memorable season.
