Seattle to take 'preparation to new level' with preseason Cape Town trip

Seattle Seawolves head coach Allen Clarke has announced they will train with the Stormers for two weeks of their preseason.

The Major League Rugby club’s season begins on Friday 3 April against Old Glory DC. They will spend a fortnight in Cape Town sharpening their tools and developing the team’s bond.

Seattle have a number of South Africa natives on their roster, including 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 are currently placed third in the United Rugby Championship and next play the Lions in Johannesburg on Saturday 28 February.

“I wanted to share an important update with you,” Clarke said in a Seawolves social media post.

“An update that we believe will take our preparation to a new level and put us in the best possible position to compete for the Shield.

“The squad will travel to South Africa, to Cape Town, the home of the Stormers, one of the best teams in world rugby.

“That’s going to give us an opportunity to train in a world class environment, rub shoulders and compete against top individual players and, importantly, to build a team connection and a bond that’s essential and critical to any winning side so we return home tougher, sharper, ready to perform at our best in front of you.”

Champions of MLR in the competition’s first two seasons in 2028 and 2019, Clarke is aiming to end a seven year title drought in the Pacific Northwest.

During the former Ospreys coach’s time at the helm, he has taken them to the final twice only to be beaten by Rugby New York and the New England Free Jacks at the final hurdle.

This offseason Seattle have added Scotland international Scott Bennett to the squad, Dorian Jones, Marno Redelinghuys, Andre Warner, Paddy Ryan and Matthias Douglas to their roster.