He has been one of the stalwarts of the Stormers scrum in recent seasons, and now prop Neethling Fouché has been rewarded for his efforts with a three-year contract extension.

The 32-year-old tighthead prop – a popular figure in the team who also makes fun videos on tours – has been a mainstay in the Cape side’s front row whenever World Cup-winning Springbok No 3 Frans Malherbe has been on Test duty, or ruled out through injury.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by DHL Stormers (@dhlstormers)

In fact, the former Bulls prop – who hails from Rustenberg and attended Grey College in Bloemfontein – has been pushing for higher honours himself over the last few years, having been part of the United Rugby Championship-winning Stormers squad in 2022, and must be close to getting a call-up in 2025.

The Stormers announced on Tuesday that “despite significant interest from several overseas clubs, Fouché has committed his future to the Stormers, which he believes will give him the best chance of representing his country”.

“Every time I put on the Stormers jersey, I get quite emotional. This team means the world to me, and I honestly don’t want to play my rugby anywhere else,” Fouché said on Tuesday.

“Driving into work and staring at Table Mountain, I don’t know where else you can get that.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by DHL Stormers (@dhlstormers)

“I have rubbed shoulders with some legends of the game here, and will keep pushing myself to improve.

“This squad has the potential to achieve great things, we are only at the beginning.”

Fouché started in Paris last Saturday and was part of a strong scrummaging display by the Stormers in their 31-22 Champions Cup defeat to Racing 92, and will surely face up to Irish powerhouses Leinster in Saturday’s URC clash in Dublin once more.

“Neethling is an incredible team man, and as a tighthead prop is coming into his prime, so we are looking forward to even bigger things from him,” Stormers director of rugby John Dobson said on Tuesday.

“He competes with one of the greatest ever tightheads, Frans Malherbe, and keeps pushing his standards, so it is understandable that many other teams would love to have a player of Neethling’s stature in their squad.

“He is another player that has completely bought into the project here, and plays a key role in helping develop the next generation of front-row stars.

“So, we are thrilled to have him on our books for another three years.” | Independent Media Sport