Salmaan Moerat will leave the Stormers at the end of the season to take up an opportunity in France.
The Springbok lock, who will reportedly join La Rochelle, is currently sidelined after undergoing toe surgery in January.
Moerat came through the Stormers 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 Vodacom 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.
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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, the Stormers were 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.”
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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.”
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