Allen Clarke, the head coach for the Seattle Seawolves, has confirmed that the team will participate in a two-week preseason training camp alongside the Stormers.
The Major League Rugby club is scheduled to commence its season on Friday, April 3rd, facing Old Glory DC. Prior to this, the team intends to dedicate two weeks in Cape Town to refine their skills and foster team cohesion.
The Seattle roster features several players originating from South Africa, namely Dan Kriel, Dewald Donald, Divan Rossouw, Duncan Matthews, Eduard Fouché, JP Smith, Kerron van Vuuren, Malembe Mpofu, Njabulo Gumede, Rhyno Herbst, Riekert Hattingh, and Dewald Kotze.
John Dobson’s Stormers presently hold the third position in the United Rugby Championship standings and are slated to compete against the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday, February 28th.
“I wished to provide you with a significant update,” Clarke stated in a communication posted on the Seawolves’ social media.
“This update concerns developments that we are confident will elevate our readiness and position us optimally to contend for the Shield.”
“The team is set to journey to South Africa, specifically to Cape Town, the base of the Stormers, a club recognized as one of the premier rugby teams globally.”
“This endeavor will afford us the chance to train within an elite setting, interact and challenge exceptional individual athletes, and crucially, forge a team synergy and connection vital and indispensable for any triumphant squad, ensuring we return home stronger, more astute, and prepared to deliver our peak performance for our supporters.”
Having secured the MLR championship during the competition’s initial two seasons in 2028 and 2019, Clarke is striving to conclude a seven-year period without a title for the team in the Pacific Northwest.
Throughout the tenure of the former Ospreys coach, he has guided the team to the championship final on two occasions, only to be defeated by Rugby New York and the New England Free Jacks in the decisive match.
During the current offseason, Seattle has expanded its roster by adding Scotland international Scott Bennett, along with Dorian Jones, Marno Redelinghuys, Andre Warner, Paddy Ryan, and Matthias Douglas.
