Salmaan Moerat to leave Stormers for France

Salmaan Moerat will leave the Stormers at the end of the current season to take up a new opportunity in France, bringing an important chapter of his Cape Town career to a close.

The Springbok lock’s departure had been widely expected for some time, and it now confirms that one of the Stormers’ senior leaders will continue his career overseas.

Salmaan Moerat To Leave Stormers

Moerat’s exit comes after several seasons in which he established himself as a key figure for both the Stormers and South Africa.

Although he has faced questions over form and fitness in recent years, the 28-year-old has remained a trusted presence in high-level rugby.

In his last three Test starts for the Springboks, he also served as captain, underlining the regard in which he is held within the national setup.

Stormers Captain Built Through Western Cape Pathway

A product of the Western Cape rugby system, Moerat came through as captain of Paarl Boys High and the Western Province Under-18 side at Craven Week in 2016.

He later led the Junior Springboks and made his Stormers debut against the Highlanders in Dunedin in 2018. Since then, he has earned 70 caps for the Stormers and captained the team in their first United Rugby Championship fixture against Benetton in 2021.

He has also served as club captain over the past two seasons.

Moerat said the Stormers would always remain home for him and expressed hope that he could return one day.

“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.