Rahl to join Stormers in 2027

Imposing Hollywoodbets Sharks lock Corné Rahl has signed with the DHL Stormers and will join the squad at the end of the current season in July 2027.

The powerful 24-year-old hails from the Western Cape town of Montagu and was schooled at Oakdale, where he was one year ahead of his future teammate Paul de Villiers.

At 2.03 metres tall and 122 kilograms, Rahl brings physicality and intensity to everything he does on the field.

He will add to the depth in the club’s second-row stocks once he makes the move to Cape Town.

Director of Rugby John Dobson said that Rahl is a perfect fit for what the squad requires.

“Corné 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 Corné,” he said.

Rahl said that he is excited to join the fold at the end of the season.

“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 DHL Stormers are building something special, and I am also looking forward to being a part of that once I join next season,” he said.