The Stormers have signed Lleyton Davids after the speedster impressed during the club’s pre-season preparations.
Davids, a three-time national triple jump champion, is known as the ‘Robertson Express’ after first making an impression in club rugby with Robertson Town.
The 100-metre runner was invited to train with the Stormers and scored a spectacular try at Faure Street Stadium in Paarl during a practice match against the Bulls.
Stormers director of rugby John Dobson said Davids’ work throughout pre-season had demonstrated that he possessed significant potential as a rugby player.
“Lleyton obviously has searing out-and-out pace, having run a sub-11 second 100 metre barefoot, but what he showed us in pre-season is that he has a real instinct for rugby,” said Dobson.
The Stormers coach also pointed to Davids’ recruitment as evidence of the talent available in the wider region.
“This is a great example of how our recruitment system is working. While players are being identified at a young age and the Stormers Rugby Institute is developing the best talent, there is still so much untapped potential in our region.
“I saw him playing for Robertson Town live and it was clear that he has something special. Now the onus is on us to develop him as a player to ensure that he can make an impact at a higher level.
“We want to ensure that all local players regardless of where they are playing can see a pathway to our squad. Credit must go to all involved in making this signing happen, especially his agent Shafiek Mouton who went above and beyond,” he said.
Davids said joining the Stormers represented a major opportunity after growing up supporting the club.
“Like any local boy, I grew up watching the Stormers and training with the squad over the past months has been a dream come true.
“I have rubbed shoulders with some great players and I want to show that I can keep improving and that I belong in what is one of the strongest squads in world club rugby,” he said.