Rugby Transfers: Springboks captain finalises French move, Australia beat Ireland to rising star and Italy legend returns to the Azzurri
Salmaan Moerat, Sergio Parisse and Massimo De Lutiis
Our latest transfers and rumours update focuses on a Springboks captain’s move to France, Sergio Parisse’s return to Italy and Australia winning a tug-of-war with Ireland.
Moerat joins Kriel in France
The Stormers have confirmed that lock Salmaan Moerat will leave Cape Town at the end of the season to ‘take up an opportunity in France.’
While the South African franchise did not disclose which club he will be joining in France, he has been widely linked with a move to Top 14 giants La Rochelle, coached by Ireland legend Ronan O’Gara. The announcement of his departure comes the day after the Bulls confirmed that utility back David Kriel will be joining the French club at the end of the season.
Moerat departs the union that he has represented since coming through the academy pathways after captaining Paarl Boys High and the Western Province U18 side at the 2016 Craven Week. He went on to lead the Junior Springboks and made his Stormers debut against the Highlanders in Dunedin in 2018.
He has played 70 times for the Stormers, who he has also captained, while earning 11 Test caps for the Springboks since his debut in 2022.
In 2024, he captained South Africa in their 64-21 victory over Portugal, led the Boks against Australia and Argentina, while also doing so against Italy in 2025.
Director of Rugby John Dobson said that while it is tough to see a player who has played such an influential role at the club go, Stormers Rugby was never going to stand in his way.
“Salmaan embodies a lot of what we are about as a team. He is a homegrown talent from a renowned rugby family who has earned the respect of teammates and opponents alike through his selfless approach on and off the field,” Dobson said.
“This is a significant opportunity for him and his young family to achieve financial security that would not be possible here. He will always be a part of us and hopefully will return home at some stage.”
Moerat added: “I grew up dreaming of playing for this team and the memories I have will stay with me forever. This move will hopefully be a positive one for me as a rugby player and for my family and I’d love to return to play for the DHL Stormers one day. It will always be home for me.”
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Rugby Australia lock in Massimo De Lutiis
Australia have won the tug-of-war for Massimo De Lutiis after the Queensland Reds prop drew interest from Ireland, with the 22-year-old prop signing a three-year deal through to 2029.
The IRFU reportedly reached out to the front rower, who qualifies for Ireland through his mother, last week, but he has snubbed those advances to remain in Australia instead.
De Lutiis was called up for his second Wallabies camp in January after his initial steps in the national set-up with the Australia Under-20s (2023) and Australia A (2024).
“I definitely feel like a weight has been lifted with this decision. Now I’m locked in, I can focus on the next three years in Australia,” De Lutiis said.
“I know the Reds and the Wallabies have the world-class coaches who are really good for young tightheads and their development.”
On the offer from Irish rugby and Ulster, he added: “I had a lot to weigh up. I spent a good week or two going through it and it was a bit stressful.
“Family, knowing Australia and what it is like here…they were two big deciding factors.
“‘Did I want to be potentially playing in front of family and friends at a home World Cup next year?’ I asked myself that question as well. Even if I don’t, it would be amazing to be around a tournament like that with the huge support that’s out there.”
Sergio returns to the Azzurri
Italy’s most capped player of all-time will return to the Azzurri in June after signing a four-year deal as the team’s new forwards’ coach under Gonzalo Quesada.
In an exclusive interview with Planet Rugby, Parisse revealed that he has been in contact with Quesada for over a year now about joining his staff, but opted not to do so last year as he wanted to see out his contract with Toulon and gain more experience as a coach.
“I was only in my second year at Toulon,” Parisse explained. “Gonzalo had spoken to me, but I felt I needed to get a little bit more experience. Now I’ve coached for over another year, so I’ve had three years. I’m really enjoying it. I kept in contact with Gonzalo, but I also wanted to finish my contract at RC Toulon because I had such a great time there, and obviously, I played here for some time.”
Parisse also sought out the advice of Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend about the step up from coaching a club team to the national team and how the move back to Italy is very much a personal decision.
Ulster snap up Quins star
While Ulster missed out on the opportunity to sign De Lutiis, they have snapped up the services of a rising Harlequins star in the form of Jamie Benson.
The Irish qualified fly-half will join the province this summer on a two-year deal ahead of the 2026/27 season. The 23-year-old, who can also play at centre and full-back, is known for his playmaking ability in attack, a relentless work-rate and ruthless accuracy from the kicking tee.
Benson has represented both England U18s and England U20s, as well as being selected in a wider England A squad earlier this season, and qualifies for Ireland through family connections in Belfast.
“It feels like a fantastic time to be joining Ulster Rugby. The team are playing an entertaining brand of rugby, which I am excited to be a part of,” Benson said.
“I have strong family connections to the province through my mum, who grew up in Belfast, and I’m looking forward to getting started.”
Reflecting on his time at Harlequins, Benson added: “Harlequins is, and always will be, a special Club to me. Since joining the academy aged 13, it has truly felt like home. I am incredibly grateful to the Club and to all those who have helped me over these past 10 seasons.
“The decision to leave has not been one I have taken lightly. I have always been driven to consistently test myself to play at the highest level and to pursue the goal of playing international rugby. I feel I am at a critical point in my career and that now is the right time for me to move in order to pursue these personal ambitions.
“My full focus remains on finishing this season as strongly as possible and continuing to play at my best for this Club, right until the very end of the season.
“I would like to sincerely thank all the Harlequins fans who have supported me, and the team, throughout my time here. I leave with lifelong memories and immense pride in having been part of this Club.”
Skinner re-signs
Meanwhile, Exeter Chiefs have announced that fly-half Harvey Skinner has signed a new two-year contract extension with the Devon club.
Already a Chiefs centurion, Skinner has been enjoying a stellar campaign since establishing a new half-back partnership with Italian international scrum-half Stephen Varney, helping the side reach the Challenge Cup quarter-finals and has been rewarded with an extension.
“I’m really happy to sign a new deal with the club, as I truly love playing here,” he said.
“I’m enjoying the connection we have among the group and the style of rugby we’re playing. The atmosphere the fans have created this year has made it truly enjoyable to be a part of every gameday at Sandy Park.
“I’ve grown up here and have now started a family of my own, so it felt like an easy decision to stay. As a team, we’ve had some challenges, but we’ve also enjoyed some great moments, and I feel like this squad is on a good track to really achieve something special together.”
Director of rugby Rob Baxter added: “Harvey is a young man who came through our academy and has had to work extremely hard over a number of years to become what you would call our first-choice, starting fly-half.
“He’s had some challenges, some tough times, but has learned a lot through a couple of seasons when the team changed significantly. He had to take over a role from a couple of established guys who had played a lot of rugby and won trophies, but I think what you’ve seen is that he’s maturing all the time.
“He’s learning every day on the job. He’s very driven to achieve on a personal level but he also helps to drive the team in the things we want to do.
“I think his relationship with Dave Walder is growing stronger all the time and I think that’s really helping our attacking side of the game to thrive. For a fly-half, he’s got fantastic commitment towards defending – he loves to fly off the line and try to bang people! That’s a great asset for us to have in our 10.
“We’re delighted to have him staying with us because he’s someone who we still see improving as a player. He’s going to be very important to us going forward.”
