Mostert signs with French side

SuperSport.com reported last month that Stade Francais had signed Western Province lock Anton van Zyl and were chasing Mostert’s signature.

However, with Steven Sykes already on his way to Ireland, it was uncertain whether the Sharks would release him before his contract ends on 31 October this year.

Mostert’s agent James Adams confirmed that his client had signed “a lucrative” contract with Stade Francais, which will start this month.

“I’m really looking forward to the new challenge that awaits me in playing for Stade Francais. They are a big club in France and have been successful over the years in winning Cups. Paris is a great city and I’m looking forward to moving over,” Mostert said in a statement.

“I would like to thank the Sharks for there support over the last 2 years and for agreeing to my early release. They have been very good to me and I will not forget it. I have thoroughly enjoyed my time at the Sharks and would love to return and play for them in the future. At this stage of my career I felt it was the best move for me, and who knows what the future holds. After all, playing for the Springboks someday is still a goal I wish to achieve.”

Stade Francais were almost relegated a week ago when an investment deal into the club fell through, but were saved by intervention by local businesses in France.

With their finances now in place, and ex-French coach Bernard Laporte as Director of Rugby, the French club have embarked on an ambitious signing spree, with Mostert the latest in a long list of signings.

Among those moving to Stade are Chiefs hooker Aled de Malmanche, Argentinean flyhalf Felipe Contempomi, Australians Morgan Turinui and David Lyons, All Black Byron Kelleher, Samoa’s Paul Williams and English winger Paul Sackey.

Stade have released a number of players as well to make way, including South African Falie Oelschig, French flyhalf Lionel Beauxis, Scotland’s Hugo Southwell, Italian Mauro Bergamasco and Argentinean Manuel Leguizamon.