The Stormers have confirmed that scrumhalf Herschel Jantjies will be be released from his contract at the end of the season to join French team Bayonne.
The Kylemore-born Springboks No 9, who has been with Western Province from Under-13 level, will join the Top 14 side having played 86 matches for the Stormers since making his debut in 2018.
Jantjies is contracted to the Stormers until 2026, but has been granted an early release to take up the offer in France.
Director of Rugby John Dobson said the Stormers were never going to stand in his way after the move came up, but hopes that he will return to Cape Town on day to finish his career with the franchise.
Herschel Jantjies est 𝗖![CDATA[]]>𝗶![CDATA[]]>𝗲![CDATA[]]>𝗹 & 𝗕![CDATA[]]>𝗹![CDATA[]]>𝗮![CDATA[]]>𝗻![CDATA[]]>𝗰 🤍![CDATA[]]>🩵
— Aviron Bayonnais (@avironrugbypro) November 25, 2024
🇿![CDATA[]]>🇦 Le demi de mêlée sud-africain nous rejoindra en provenance des Stormers la saison prochaine pour deux saisons !
𝗢![CDATA[]]>𝗡![CDATA[]]>𝗚![CDATA[]]>𝗜 𝗘![CDATA[]]>𝗧![CDATA[]]>𝗢![CDATA[]]>𝗥![CDATA[]]>𝗥![CDATA[]]>𝗜 Herschel ! #rugby #Top14 pic.twitter.com/X1Gh06tb5B
“Herschel's story is an inspirational one and we are immensely proud of what he has achieved here with us. We wish him all the best in France as he takes up a deal that will change things drastically for him and his young family,” Dobson said.
"As we have seen with many of our stalwarts in the past, the plan is for Herschel to come back and finish his career in the blue and white jersey.
The Stormers are also losing current first-choice No 9 Paul de Wet at the end of the season. There has been rumours of Springbok Cobus Reiniach possibly joining the Cape side from French club Montpelier, but nothing has been confirmed as yet.
However, Dobson said that Jantjies' departure at the end of the season will be a big opportunity for the next generation to walk a similar path.
“We have got some incredibly talented young scrumhalves in Imad Khan and Asad Moos who have both come through our system and we would love to see them emulate Herschel's achievements,” Dobson said.
"The future is definitely bright with the talent we have coming through the ranks here and we look forward to welcoming back an even more experienced Herschel Jantjies in the future," he added.
Jantjies said that he will always be grateful for the opportunities he was given with the Stormers to grow into the player he is today.
After bursting on the scene in 2018, Jantjies was included in the Springboks victorious 2019 Rugby World Cup squad.
However, he has fallen off the Bok radar over the last few years because of injury and loss of form. He last played for the Boks against Argentina in 2023, but missed out on selection for World Cup.
“This is a life-changing opportunity for me and my family. The Stormers mean so much to me and the people of the region and I would not be in this position if it were not for the important role my coaches and teammates have played in my development as a player and a person,” Jantjies said off the move to France.
“I will always be a Stormers fan and want to thank all involved for the incredible years I have spent here playing the game that I love.”
Meanwhile, former Stormers No 8 Juarno Augustus will make the switch from the Northampton Saints to Ulster in the United Rugby Championship on a three-year deal in June.
@JohnGoliath82