Salmaan Moerat’s return to the Springbok set-up is a pleasing sign that the lock has not been forgotten despite his fair share of criticism in South Africa.
That is the view from Stormers director of rugby John Dobson, who backed the 28-year-old at a media conference on Wednesday.
Moerat, the 66th player to have led the Boks, has been recalled for the second leg of the Nations Championship and could make his first outing in the green and gold this year.
He debuted against Wales in 2022 and last played for the world champions against Italy in July 2025.
Dobson is delighted for the 11-cap Moerat, who left the Stormers last season and has played 94 minutes for La Rochelle since joining the French outfit.
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“I think he’d be absolutely thrilled to be away from what’s been said about him on social media, which is one of the reasons he’s not here anymore,” he told reporters after naming the Stormers 23 to face Ulster at Cape Town Stadium on Saturday.
“That’s the object for some people: to destroy a Salmaan, or a Vernon Paulo or a Warrick Gelant.
“I’m thrilled for Salmaan, and pleased he went to La Rochelle because the narrative around him was crazy.”
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He credited the Bok selectors for showing faith in Moerat, a key member of the Stormers’ 2021-22 URC title-winning team and whose injury history includes a serious knee injury in 2023 and a toe issue last year that required surgery.
“[Moerat is] a guy who wrote cheques with this team that his body struggled to cash, such was his physicality as a leader,” Dobson added.
“I’m sorry he had to go back to La Rochelle to get himself into the right headspace, and it gave his family the opportunity to do that.
“Even some of the things people say about Siya Kolisi; you work with them and you know, you realise this is a generation that has contributed to our country.
“I’m very pleased for Salmaan. One of the risks of going overseas is that you fall off the Springbok radar so again, so credit to the Springboks for showing their faith in him.”
Photo: @staderochelais/X
The post Maligned Moerat has the faith of Boks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Salmaan Moerat’s return to the Springbok set-up is a pleasing sign that the lock has not been forgotten despite his fair share of criticism in South Africa.
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