He’s just 18 years of age and yet there has already been so much written and said about him because of his exploits as a schoolboy. Now Markus Muller is set to make his debut for the DHL Stormers, and it comes in a game that underlines coach John Dobson’s obvious confidence in him.
The Stormers aren’t playing just anyone this weekend. They are playing a top of the Vodacom URC log clash against the Glasgow Warriors at DHL Stadium, a game that has become even more critical for the Cape team to win after they lost unexpectedly at the same venue to Connacht last week.
It had been hinted before the Connacht game that Muller would play against Glasgow, probably off the bench, and then go on tour with the Stormers when they head to Ulster and Cardiff for their last two regular season games.
It was thought that Dobson might change tack after the Connacht upset, with Muller not playing in that game because of the way Connacht set up, with it being understood that Glasgow are considered more conventional in their backline approach to last week’s opponents. But Muller is expected to be in the 23 man match day squad to be announced on Friday.
Muller time. Take a step into our future at DHL Stadium this weekend. #inittogether pic.twitter.com/jitn18asiA
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) April 22, 2026
There will doubtless be some who will argue that it is a case of throwing a youngster in at the deep end and that it may be a risk, but that is a conservative reaction when it comes to some special players. Dick Muir, when he was coaching the Sharks in 2006, was never afraid to select young players, such as the then 18-year-old Frans Steyn, and another being JP Pietersen, who is now the Sharks coach and following in his first senior mentor’s footsteps.
The Sharks have blooded 19-year-old Luan Gilliomee and 18-year-old Zekhethelo Siyaya because of an injury crisis at fullback in recent weeks - and in both instances the young players came through looking like they belonged at senior level.
That Muller might get to play some time this season became clear in December when Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, at that stage captaining the Stormers, gave him rave reviews on what he had contributed in training.
“I have been really impressed and surprised with him, he is not someone who needs to be shown what to to, he fits right in and picks up on what we are trying to do really quickly and seems to have a really mature head on his shoulders for one so young,” said Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Damian Willemse, who himself made his Stormers debut while still a teenager and was a standout player at school, with his standout performance at the 2016 Craven Week at Kearsney College still sticking in the memory, has backed up Feinberg-Mngomezulu’s confidence in a player who can play both inside and outside centre.
“He’s a fantastic player. I rate him very highly and believe he’s going to go far. Not just for the Stormers, but hopefully for the national team as well,” said Willemse. “I can’t wait to see more of him going forward.”
Muller’s rise has already created serious excitement in Cape rugby circles after he starred for Paarl Gimnasium at schoolboy level, something that has been carried through into senior squad sessions this season, with his selection clearly not being a surprise to those who have rubbed shoulders with him over the past few months.
“What you saw at Paarl Gimnasium at school level has been visible in our training sessions over the past few weeks. He will learn through experience. I’ll help him where I can. All I’ll say to him is to listen to the coaches and trust his natural instincts and abilities.”
Muller has been named in the Junior Springbok squad for the Sanzaar Under-20 Rugby Championship that starts in Gqeberha on Monday and played his first game for the national age group team against Georgia in February. He has also been part of a Springbok alignment camp already and some have tipped him to make his Bok debut during the course of 2026.
Should he go well against Glasgow, and he certainly has the pedigree to do so, he will add to the Stormers’ options at centre.