Promising forward commits to Stormers

CONTRACT EXTENSION: Loose forward Keke Morabe has signed a three-year extension which will see him remain a Stormer until at least 2028.

The powerful 23-year-old has played a prominent role already this season, making a big impact on attack and defence from the back of the scrum.

Having joined the Stormers fresh out of school, the former Welkom Gimnasium Head Boy and SA Schools star is starting to realise the considerable potential he showed from a young age.

Morabe was named Western Province U21 Player of the Year in 2022 and graduated through the system, making his Stormers debut in a United Rugby Championship coastal derby against the Sharks in February 2023.

He joins a growing list of talented young players such as Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Suleiman Hartzenberg, JJ Kotze and Connor Evans who have all recently committed themselves to long-term contracts with the Stormers.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said that he is looking forward to seeing Morabe continue to develop and go from strength to strength within the Stormers’ environment in the coming years.

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“Keke has been a long-term project here, he was identified as a stand-out talent and recruited straight out of school. We have seen him come through the ranks and establish himself in the senior squad.

“We have invested considerably in him and expect to see his stocks continue to rise in the years to come.

“He brings uncompromising physicality and intensity to everything he does on the pitch and has a fantastic attitude and desire to improve as a player.

“It was clear from a young age that Keke was a player worth backing and we are thrilled that he has shown the same commitment to this team,” he said.

Morabe said that with his future settled, he wants to focus on making the most of the tools available to him within the Stormers system.

“I have already learned so much since starting my professional career here and I’m grateful for the faith the coaches and my teammates have shown in me.

“The challenge for me now is to make the most of my abilities and develop my game so that I can make a big contribution to this team going forward,” he said.