The Moerat family needs no introduction in Cape Town rugby circles.
If you’re from Paarl, you know all about this family and their achievements between the four white lines.
If not from Paarl, you probably heard the stories before.
With a lot of the family’s successes taking place during the apartheid years, it’s unfathomable that there isn’t a single Moerat listed as a capped Springbok player.
And that makes the rise of Western Province lock Salmaan Moerat so much more interesting.
Having captained the SA U20 side at the Junior World Cup earlier this year, the 20-year-old has got future Springbok written all over his 2m, 115kg frame.
While becoming the first member of his family to get a Springbok number is a lot of pressure, Moerat uses it as motivation.
He tells the Daily Voice: “It will be massive for any rugby player to play for the Springboks.
“For my family especially, I think it will be a very proud moment for them. I take it more as a motivating factor…”
Having started his rugby career as a “chubby nine-year-old in Paarl”, rugby is in the youngster’s blood.
He explains: “My family loves rugby, so there’s a rich rugby heritage in my family.
“My father [Nazeem] played rugby during the isolation period, so there wasn’t much inspiration needed.
“My rugby started at Vineyards... luckily I was seen by Paarl Boys and I was offered a scholarship to attend the high school and from there my rugby just excelled.
“I really have to thank my family, especially my father for always supporting me.”
Family aside, Moerat also has a lot of respect for New Zealand midfielder Sonny Bill Williams.
Of the Kiwi, he says: “I feel he is really grounded, he achieved so much in his rugby career and he can easily be a very proud person, but he is grounded.”
While the support of his family plays a big role, Moerat also credits teammates Eben Etzebeth and Pieter-Steph du Toit for helping him improve his game.
He adds: “It’s a massive privilege to be able to play with Eben and Pieter-Steph du Toit, especially getting to learn from them. I am very grateful for that.”
Moerat will be looking to strut his stuff for WP again when they face the Sharks at Newlands on Saturday.
With both teams unbeaten heading into the match, Moerat, who hasn’t played against the Durbanites before, says he is still learning the tricks of the trade in his first Currie Cup campaign.
He says: “I am just enjoying it right now, I’m still learning each and every day.
“I’m still very young in the team and I’m just taking it step by step. Hopefully I get a few minutes on Saturday.”
Of the intensity and the physical nature of professional rugby, he adds: “There’s definitely a massive difference between age-group rugby and senior rugby.
“Luckily I’ve got very good teammates that have made it easy for me this year.”