Scarra Ntubeni comes out of retirement to cover Stormers hooker shortage

The Stormers have called on a player who had already retired. Former Springbok hooker Scarra Ntubeni is back in training after the Cape Town side asked him for help with a shortage of hookers before the visit of Ulster.

Ntubeni retired after the 2026 Currie Cup, and his last games were for the Stormers XXIII. "Have we sent Scat an SOS call? Yes, we did. He’s just come into training," said Labeeb Levy.

How the shortage came about

The Stormers beat the Scarlets 52-40 on Saturday 24 October, but lost hookers to injury in that win. Deon Fourie hurt his hamstring and will miss the Ulster game. SuperSport reported that André-Hugo Venter will also not be available for selection.

There is no help from JJ Kotzé either. The hooker is serving a three-week suspension for a high shot in the Stormers' Champions Cup win over Bristol Bears.

SuperSport also pointed out that Paulo has not played since the defeat to Edinburgh, a game in which the Stormers lost 11 lineouts.

A short-term fix

Levy described Ntubeni as a stop-gap while director of rugby John Dobson looks at other hooker options. He also made the point that the side does not depend on any one player. "We are a team that plays within a system and it is not about the individual," he said.

The Stormers host Ulster in round five of the URC at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday 31 October. The last meeting between the two sides, in Belfast earlier this year, ended in a draw. The team will be named on Wednesday 28 October, and after the Ulster game the Stormers have all of November off.