Stormers urge Cape Town to fill DHL Stadium for Chippie tribute, URC record bid

The Stormers are heading into two crucial home games with a clear message to fans: fill DHL Stadium in tribute to Chippie Solomon

South Africa’s leading team so far needs around 45,000 fans across their next two home games to break the URC regular-season attendance record.

The Stormers return to DHL Stadium this weekend against Connacht, followed by a blockbuster clash with Glasgow Warriors, both matches carrying emotional weight after the passing of the beloved long-time team manager.

At the same time, the Stormers are chasing a major milestone: the highest regular-season attendance record in the United Rugby Championship.

Emotional return to DHL Stadium

Stormers coach John Dobson described the week as deeply difficult following Solomon’s death.

“It still is,” Dobson said. “The real storm is still coming… when we get to the stadium, the spaces he filled; that’s when it will hit.”

Solomon spent more than two decades with the Stormers and was widely seen as a father figure within the squad.

Instead of silence, there are calls for fans to create a powerful tribute.

A minute of applause is planned before kick-off, a moment the team hopes will turn into a full-stadium roar.

Record crowd within reach

Stormers CEO Johan le Roux said the team is closing in on a major attendance record currently held by Leinster Rugby.

The target is clear: around 45,000 fans across the next two games.

That works out to roughly 22,500 supporters per match, a number well within reach based on current trends.

The Stormers are already averaging over 25,000 fans per game this season, significantly higher than any other team in the competition.

“It’s deeply personal for us,” Le Roux said. “We want to be a world-leading club. This is a head-on battle with Leinster.”

He said strong attendance signals more than just ticket sales.

“It shows our connection with the community… and that this team means something in homes across Cape Town.”

More than just rugby

Le Roux emphasised that a packed stadium has a broader impact, from global TV exposure to commercial investment.

A full DHL Stadium sends a message to international audiences watching the URC and European competitions.

“It’s not just what happens on the field,” he said. “It’s what people see: a full, vibrant stadium. That matters.”

The Stormers have also focused on affordability, with entry-level tickets priced from around R85.

Le Roux admitted those lower-tier tickets are sold at cost, but said accessibility is key to building long-term support.

Balancing emotion and performance

While the occasion is emotional, Dobson made it clear the team cannot lose focus.

“We won’t use cheap emotion,” he said.

Instead, the squad aims to honour Solomon through performance.

“The best tribute is winning. There’s a trophy in the middle. That’s how we do it.”

The Stormers are currently pushing for a top finish on the URC table, a position that could secure home playoff matches, including a potential final in Cape Town.

But Dobson warned against underestimating Connacht.

“They’re a proper team,” he said. “If we lose at home, we put that top spot at risk.”

Big stakes for Cape Town

The next two matches could shape the Stormers’ entire season.

A strong finish could mean playoff rugby, potentially all the way to a home final, at DHL Stadium.

Dobson believes the crowd could make the difference.

“We definitely play better with a bigger crowd,” he said.

With emotion, history, and silverware all on the line, the message to Cape Town is clear: show up, honour Chippie Solomon, and help the Stormers make history at DHL Stadium.

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For more details, listen to Dobson and Le Roux on CapeTalk using the embedded audio players.