Moerat to leave Stormers

The Stormers have confirmed that lock, Salmaan Moerat, will leave Cape Town at the end of the season to take up an opportunity in France.

While the franchise has not disclosed which club he will be joining, Moerat has been widely linked with a move to Top 14 giants, La Rochelle.

The announcement of his departure comes a day after the Bulls confirmed that utility back, David Kriel, will be joining the French club at the end of the season.

Moerat leaves the union that he has represented since his schoolboy says, having captained Paarl Boys High and the Western Province U18 side at the 2016 Craven Week. He later led the Junior Springboks and made his Stormers debut against the Highlanders in Dunedin in 2018.

He has made 70 appearances for the Stormers, captaining the side, and has earned 11 Test caps for the Springboks since his debut in 2022.

In 2024, he captained South Africa in their 64-21 victory over Portugal, and also led the team against Australia and Argentina, as well as Italy in 2025.

Director of Rugby, John Dobson, said that while it is difficult to see such an influential player leave, 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,” Dobson said.

Salmaan Moerat will leave Cape Town at the end of the current season to take up an opportunity in France.

‘I grew up dreaming of playing for this team and the memories I have will stay with me forever’

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— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) April 8, 2026

Written by: Ntsako Mukhari