New DHL Stormers skipper Salmaan Moerat says his appointment will be an “immense honour” for his family, as he eyes bringing Champions Cup title success to the franchise.
On Thursday, the Stormers announced that the Springbok lock will lead the inaugural Vodacom URC champions from next season.
A proud product of the Western Province Rugby system, Moerat comes from a renowned rugby family and captained WP at age-group level before going on to lead both the SA Schools and Junior Springbok teams.
The imposing lock made his Stormers debut at the age of just 21 in 2018 and has since established himself as a force to be reckoned with in the second row.
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Speaking during a Stormers press conference on Thursday, the 25-year-old told reporters: “It’s an immense honour for them; I think sometimes seeing their faces after my achievements and accomplishments is the most rewarding.
“I haven’t spoken to them in depth yet [about my appointment] but I’m really looking forward to getting on the phone with them.
“My dad, he kind of lives his dream through me, and I’m quite happy to put a smile on his face.”
Moerat is no stranger to the role, having led the team in previous campaigns. He was, in fact, the first player to captain the Stormers in the URC back in 2021 and was at the helm against Dragons in Gqeberha last season.
On his new role, he added: “We’ve got a very experienced group of players so my job will be a lot easier, a very experienced group around me, and game drivers.”
Moerat’s 2022-23 season was cut short by a serious knee injury which he picked up in a Champions Cup clash at Cape Town Stadium in December, but having worked hard to regain full fitness, he is ready to lead the Capetonians when the new season gets underway in October.
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The inaugural Vodacom URC champions open their second season in Europe’s elite club competition against the Leicester Tigers in round 1 in the UK on Sunday, 10 December, before welcoming back-to-back tournament winners La Rochelle to Cape Town Stadium a week later.
Moerat said that he cannot wait to do his part as captain to help take the Stormers forward, especially in the Champions Cup after a quarter-final exit on debut last term.
He added: “Each season brings its own challenges and this coming season it’ll be nothing less; just in the Champions Cup group, that in itself will be a challenge but it’s something we’re really looking forward to.
“The first home game will be against La Rochelle and for us as a group, our biggest challenge will be ourselves. We’ve set a certain standard the past two years, and that’s a standard we’d like to maintain or even get better at.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images