Stormers face race against time to keep Dylan Maart from returning to Griquas

New Stormers sensation Dylan Maart could, in fact, head back to Griquas early in the new year if the Stormers do not move swiftly in their negotiations with the Kimberley-based union.

The winger, who says he is inspired by Springbok flyer Kurt-Lee Arendse, has proved a hit with the Cape franchise, scoring three tries in the four matches he has played. Maart joined Griquas after a breakout season with Boland and played a key role in the team’s Currie Cup title win.

Maart’s contract with Griquas runs until the end of December 2026. His loan spell with the Stormers is almost over, with his final match set to be the URC derby against the Bulls on January 3.

Griquas coach Pieter Bergh told Rapport that there has been no formal approach from the Stormers to secure Maart on a permanent basis.

“The current loan agreement expires in December, and we have not yet received a request from the Stormers to extend it,” Bergh said.

However, not long ago Stormers director of rugby John Dobson indicated that he was keen to sign Maart permanently.

“We are in discussions with Griquas to convert him,” Dobson said. “He wants to stay, and the people want him to stay. Griquas are open to it. We will do the conversion.”

Bergh, though, said the situation is not as straightforward. It remains unclear whether Griquas will once again have to qualify for the Currie Cup Premier Division via the SA Cup.

“Do we want to take the risk of not having Dylan for the SA Cup, where we have to qualify for the Currie Cup?” he said. “If we didn’t have to qualify, it would be an easy decision.”

Bergh added that while loaning players to top teams always carries the risk that they may not want to return, there is also a moral consideration around blocking the progress of talented players.

“At some point, you must decide whether you are standing in a player’s way or whether it also benefits you,” he said.

Maart is already 29, the same age as his friend Arendse, after taking the road less travelled to rugby stardom.

In his youth, Maart worked as a taxi guard and later as a warehouse employee at a bottling plant.

Since giving up his day job two years ago and becoming a full-time professional at Griquas, the tries have flowed for the Wellington-born speedster, and he has begun to register on the ‘big-time’ radar.

After Maart helped Griquas to the Currie Cup title, the Stormers were quick to invite him to Cape Town on a loan deal.

He scored a try on his Stormers debut against Munster in Limerick and followed it up with a brace against La Rochelle in the Champions Cup.

The next box Maart ticked was a try against the Lions in his maiden appearance at Cape Town Stadium, where the Stormers won 34-27 last week.