Former Wales rugby player, Jamie Roberts, leaves Bath for South African team

Former Wales rugby player, Jamie Roberts, has left his Bath team to play in South Africa.

He has joined South African team the Stormers and will play the 2020 Super Rugby season with them.

Roberts was capped 94 times by Wales and made three Lions Test appearances.

He joined Bath's Harlequins in 2018 and they have now signed Fiji centre Josh Matavesi from Newcastle to replace him.

The Stormers have recruited the 33-year-old to add experience to their rookie backline and also act as a mentor, performing a "major role in nurturing the talent around him in Cape Town."

Roberts thanked Bath for releasing him from his contract early so he could take this "once-in-a-lifetime opportunity".

He added: "It has long been a goal of mine to play in the southern hemisphere. While I'm looking forward to wearing the shirt, my key drive is to perform on the pitch, win week in week out and to help to drive success.

"I didn't think at this stage in my career that an opportunity like this would come my way."

Roberts, a qualified doctor, has also played for Cardiff Blues and Racing Metro over his 13-year professional career.