The Stormers are banking on the family vibe they created within the squad to keep players post-lockdown.
With pay cuts on the horizon for South African players because of inactivity due to the coronavirus pandemic,
players have been given 21 days to decide whether they will be staying on or tearing up their contract.
Bulls centre Johnny Kotze was the first to exercise the latter option when he informed the union that he will be leaving.
Stormers forwards coach Rito Hlungwane, though, is convinced that their stars will stay - simply because they created an environment of which you want to be part of.
Hlungwane says: “It [the pay cuts] is a tough one to deal with, but the environment we’ve created at the Stormers gives us confidence that players want to stay and play for us and the union and for each other.
“We created a family environment that you wouldn’t want to leave at the moment.”
PACK DOWN TOGETHER: Coach Rito Hlungwane
Hlungwane is well aware that the financial impact will differ from player to player and says: “It will be tough for anyone - hearing you will get salary deductions. It’s a tough one to deal with and differs from person to person.
“Some have bigger struggles [than others] and others made some good investments.
“We are in constant communication with the players and the staff to engage where they are and see where we can help.
“It is a challenging time, but we are making sure that we are very supportive for players and the staff.”