Neethling Fouche has followed up his powerful scrumming performance against the Cell C Sharks by signing a three year extension to his current contract with the DHL Stormers.
The 30-year-old was in excellent form in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship derby in Durban last weekend and his strong scrumming helped pave the way for the Stormers’ big 46-19 away win over their coastal rivals.
Although heading into his fourth decade, props do mature late, and Fouche has certainly been coming on in leaps and bounds just recently.
??? Teeing off for another three years with @johneetfouche ?? #iamastormer #dhldelivers pic.twitter.com/juocZL3WuM
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) February 8, 2023
He’s building up a lot of experience too, with 46 caps for the Stormers added to another 31 for Western Province.
Those figures need to be seen within the context of him effectively being the second choice for much of that time behind Springbok World Cup-winning tighthead prop Frans Malherbe in recent seasons.
Before that he was the third choice when Wilco Louw was still with WP and the Stormers.
Fouche’s decision to sign on for another three years follows on from the recent announcement that Malherbe will be continuing with the Cape franchise for the same period and is a big boost for the Stormers.
The URC champions might be in the market for a loosehead next season as Steven Kitshoff is set to continue his career with Ulster after the Rugby World Cup later this year but they are well covered at tighthead, where they also have a couple of other up and coming players available to them.
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— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) February 8, 2023
?? Prop @johneetfouche has signed a contract extension keeping him in Cape Town for another three years.
?? 'There is nowhere I would rather be playing my rugby right now and there is a lot to be excited about'https://t.co/lSJCEPCMnT