The reason France-bound Dillyn Leyds is gutted to be leaving the Stormers

Dillyn Leyds has expressed disappointment that he will not have a final chance to play for the Stormers before he leaves for France. Stormers coach John Dobson revealed this week that the 27-year-old had played his final match for the club before a move to La Rochelle in the Top 14.

In such peculiar times during the Covid-19 pandemic, the ten-cap Springbok finds himself in a position that many others are in - he has already played his final game before a move. 

Leyds took to Instagram to explain his dismay at how events turned out, saying: “This was definitely not how I wanted things to end and right now I would give anything for just one more 80 with the boys, but nevertheless my time has come to say goodbye.”

The South African also thanked his team-mates, the management and the fans for his seven years with the Stormers and Western Province, describing it as “an absolute dream come true”. He accompanied the message with photos of his career in Cape Town. 

After making his debut for Western Province in 2013, Leyds enjoyed a brief stint in Australia with Super Rugby’s Western Force in 2014 before returning to South Africa and making his first appearance for the Stormers a year later.