Boost for Stormers, Boks as Malherbe signs new long-term deal

Malherbe has only ever represented the Cape-based side throughout his professional career featuring in Super Rugby and the United Rugby Championship (URC) for the Stormers and Western Province in the Currie Cup.

Stormers' head coach John Dobson waxed lyrical about his tighthead prop and said that having him commit to the franchise for the next three years is hugely significant.

"He is a world-class player who contributes so much more to our cause than just what he does on the field.

"He will play a vital role in inspiring and showing the next generation what it means to be a true Stormers man," he said.

Malherbe added that he was excited about what lay ahead for the team over the next three years.

"I am very happy to be staying in Cape Town and playing for the Stormers.

"The team environment here is very positive, and I want to contribute to building on that and doing whatever I can to help the team continue improving," he said.

The powerful tighthead rose through the junior ranks representing Western Province at u16, u18 and u19 levels before making his Stormers debut back in 2011 at the age of 20.

He made his test debut for the Springboks against Wales in 2013 and featured in his first Rugby World Cup two years later.

Frans Malherbe is now regarded as one of the best scrummagers in the game and has made over 50 appearances in Green and Gold, winning the World Cup in 2019 and the British and Irish Lions series in 2021.

He has played 126 matches for the Stormers to date, surpassing the record set by Schalk Burger, and won the side's first major title last year, beating the Bulls in the URC final.

Malherbe's contract extension is a significant boost for the side that saw Warrick Gelant depart to Racing 92 at the end of last season, while Steven Kitshoff is set to join Ulster after the World Cup.