Springbok forward heads overseas
· The South African
It has been confirmed that Stormers lock Salmaan Moerat will leave Cape Town at the end of the current season to take up an opportunity in France with French giants La Rochelle.
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It’s a move that has been rumoured for some time, and comes at a time when certain fans have questioned whether or not he should be in the Springboks’ planning for the 2027 World Cup.
Moerat has battled with fitness and form over the last couple of years, but in the last three Tests that he started, the 28-year-old actually served as captain.
New challenge for Springbok and Stormers lock
A proud product of the Western Cape, Moerat came through the system as captain of Paarl Boys High and the Western Province U18 side at the 2016 Craven Week.
He would go on to lead the Junior Springboks and in 2018 made his Stormers debut against the Highlanders in Dunedin.
He has earned 70 Stormers caps since then and captained the team in their historic first URC game against Benetton in Treviso in 2021.
He has led the Stormers as club captain for the past two seasons and has also served as Springbok captain in that time.
Best wishes
Director of Rugby John Dobson said that while it is tough to see a player who has played such an influential role at the club go, Stormers Rugby was never going to stand in his way.
“Salmaan embodies a lot of what we are about as a team. He is a homegrown talent from a renowned rugby family who has earned the respect of teammates and opponents alike through his selfless approach on and off the field.
“This is a significant opportunity for him and his young family to achieve financial security that would not be possible here. He will always be a part of us and hopefully will return home at some stage,” he said.
Moerat said that his connection with the Stormers will always be there.
“I grew up dreaming of playing for this team and the memories I have will stay with me forever. This move will hopefully be a positive one for me as a rugby player and for my family and I’d love to return to play for the Stormers one day. It will always be home for me,” he said.