Hollywoodbets Sharks second-row forward Corne Rahl has signed for the Stormers and will move to the Cape Town-based side at the end of the current season in July 2027.
The 24-year-old, who was born in Montagu in the Western Cape, will strengthen the Stormers’ options in the second row when he joins the squad.
Rahl attended Oakdale, where he was a year ahead of future Stormers team-mate Paul de Villiers. Standing 2.03 metres tall and weighing 122kg, he is known for his physical approach and high work-rate.
Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson said Rahl matched the qualities the club was looking for, both as a player and as someone with a strong connection to the region.
“Corne is a player who has shown he can stand up to the best in the game and at 24 he has his best years ahead of him. It is important for our players to understand the region and what rugby means here and as a product of Oakdale he certainly fits the bill in that regard.
“He’s a big man who has shown an impressive work-rate and we are looking forward to seeing how he develops his game once he joins us here.
“With Salmaan Moerat and Ruben van Heerden both having moved to France at the end of last season, we wanted to invest in a player who has real long-term potential and we have that in Corne,” he said.
Moerat and van Heerden’s departures created a need for further long-term depth in the Stormers’ lock department, with Rahl identified as a player capable of developing into a key part of the squad.
Rahl said the agreement allowed him to concentrate on finishing his time with the Sharks before beginning his move to Cape Town.
“Right now, I am obviously focused on performing for my current team, before I make the move to Cape Town next year. I am glad that my future is secure and with this announcement done I can focus on playing rugby.
“There is no doubt that the Stormers are building something special, and I am also looking forward to being a part of that once I join next season,” he said.
