After a sensational pre-season outing, Lleyton Davids, a 25-year-old winger, has inked his first professional rugby contract with the Stormers. This move follows his remarkable performance in club rugby for Robertson Town in Boland, where he scored an impressive 31 tries across 19 games. His athletic prowess, exemplified by his past accolades as a three-time South African senior triple jump champion and his blistering 100m sprint time of 10.3 seconds, caught the eye of the Stormers' brass.
Davids' capability was on full display during a United Rugby Championship (URC) warm-up match against the Bulls in Paarl, where he famously outpaced Bulls' Thaakir Abrahams, crafting a viral try that dazzled fans and pundits alike. Despite his standout performance, Davids was not picked for the Stormers' URC squad immediately. However, the club’s director of rugby, John Dobson, has committed to nurturing his burgeoning rugby career.
"That guy is a freak in every way," Dobson remarked. "He is someone we’re going to invest in. We’ve seen enough."
Dobson also shared that Davids was spotted off "some grainy footage and a drive through Robertson," underscoring the raw potential they believe he possesses. However, Dobson mentioned that Davids would require some time to adjust to the demands of professional rugby, especially in playing under high balls.
"It’s going to take him a year – at least a year. We’re going to keep developing him and keep him with us."
Thus begins what many hope will be a fruitful professional journey in rugby for Lleyton Davids, hinting at exciting times ahead for both him and the Stormers as they look to build on their squad depth with such promising, explosive talent.
