Paul de Wet Bids Emotional Farewell to Stormers, Seals Move to Bulls
In a significant reshuffle within South African rugby, experienced scrum-half Paul de Wet has officially left the Stormers to join their fierce rivals, the Bulls, ahead of the 2025–26 United Rugby Championship (URC) season.
The move comes in the aftermath of the Stormers’ URC quarter-final defeat to Glasgow Warriors, a match that marked the end of an era for several senior players. Among those confirmed to be departing is de Wet, a stalwart of the Cape Town franchise. Speaking after the loss, Stormers Director of Rugby John Dobson admitted the farewell was emotional. “It’s sitting pretty tough in the throat,” he said, acknowledging de Wet’s contributions over the years.
From Stellenbosch to Stormers Glory
Born in Stellenbosch, Paul de Wet made his Stormers debut in 2017 and quickly established himself as a key figure in the squad. Renowned for his quick decision-making, sharp bursts around the fringes, and clever kicking game, de Wet has been an instrumental part of the Stormers’ rise in the URC. He played a central role in their historic 2022 URC title-winning campaign, delivering consistent performances in high-stakes matches.
Though injury kept him out of parts of the recent season, de Wet still managed to influence key games, including victories over Edinburgh and Ulster. His departure, alongside that of Herschel Jantjies and Joseph Dweba, leaves a notable gap in the Stormers’ core leadership group.
Bulls Welcome Battle-Tested Scrum-Half
The Bulls, meanwhile, have been aggressive in the transfer market, and de Wet’s arrival at Loftus Versfeld adds serious depth and experience to their scrum-half options. With a growing roster that already includes returning stars like Handré Pollard, Nico Janse van Rensburg, and Jan Serfontein, the addition of de Wet signals a bold intent to reclaim domestic and continental glory.
De Wet is expected to play a key role in stabilizing and controlling matches, particularly in tight contests, where his calm under pressure and game management will be invaluable.
Looking Ahead
While an official statement from de Wet has yet to be released, both fans and analysts anticipate his transition to the Bulls will elevate the franchise’s attacking structure. For the Stormers, the rebuild begins—with new signings like Cobus Reinach set to fill the void.
One chapter closes, but another begins—for both de Wet and South African rugby.
