South Africa's Stormers have revealed that 13 players have signed contract extension with the side as they ramp up their pre-season preparations ahead of the 2018 campaign.
Springboks Siya Kolisi, Damian de Allende and Steven Kitshoff had already penned new deals to keep them at the team until 2019, but they are joined by 13 others who have committed their futures to the Newlands side.
These include forwards JC Janse van Rensburg, Scarra Ntubeni, Nizaam Carr, Caylib Oosthuizen, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Ali Vermaak, Wilco Louw and Kobus van Dyk, and backline players Dillyn Leyds, Jano Vermaak, SP Marais, Craig Barry and Michal Hazner.
The teams other Boks, Bongi Mbonambi, Frans Malherbe, Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit, are all already on long-term contracts to keep them at the team for the next two years.
Meanwhile, it has also been confirmed that Bok wing Raymond Rhule and centre JJ Engelbrecht will link up with the squad in the New Year. They join other new recruits Sergeal Petersen, Joshua Stander and Neethling Fouche.
Coach Robbie Fleck has been putting the bulk of the side through their paces at the team's training base in Belville, and says it is so far, so good for the side.
"Last season we changed our approach in the pre-season, which stood us in good stead throughout the campaign," Fleck said.
"The focus is on making sure that we put the hard work in now, both physically and mentally, in order to prepare the team for what lies ahead next year."
The Stormers open their 2018 campaign at home to the Jaguares from Argentina on February 23.