Stormers captain Siya Kolisi admits there were concerns around whether Salmaan Moerat should travel with the team to New Zealand in the wake of the terrorist attacks in Christchurch last week.

The Stormers have embarked on a four-game tour of the Australasia, two in New Zealand and two in Australia. They take on the Hurricanes in Wellington on Saturday followed by a trip to Auckland where they will face the Blues.

In an interview with Tvnz.co.nz, Kolisi confirmed the Stormers’ senior players held a discussion about whether Moerat, the only Muslim in the squad, should make the trip to New Zealand.

‘One of the senior guys in our team was worried about it. But we’ll be with him at all times and I know the people of New Zealand will look after us,’ Kolisi said.

A gunman killed 50 people at two mosques last Friday, while a dozen others are injured. Speaking of the tragedy, Kolisi said the Stormers and everyone in South Africa stood in solidarity with the people of Christchurch and New Zealand in general.

‘We were shocked when we heard, we feel for the families that have been affected.  This is the safest country we’ve been to. The people in South Africa are thinking about the people in New Zealand.’

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