Who will lock down the second row?
EVEN without Springbok enforcer Eben Etzebeth available for duty this week at Loftus Versveld when the Stormers face the Bulls in their Super Rugby opener, the visitors are still set to field a quality line-out combination.
There is an embarrassment of riches at coach Robbie Fleck’s disposal with even one of the contenders Salmaan Moerat admitting: “The competition is, of course, very healthy in the group. We’ve got a good balance of young talent and experience.”
We take a closer look at the Stormers line-out options to counter Lood de Jager and Co this week.
JD SCHICKERLING
Although only still 23-years old, Schickerling feels like he needs to make up for lost time. This is, of course, due to a horrific neck injury suffered a few years back and a further injury suffered last year that forced the second-rower to miss much of the Super Rugby season after just picking up a Man of the Match performance against the Jaguares. But such is his determination to get back to his best – Schickerling was one of the standout performers in last year’s Currie Cup upon his return – that he was picked for the end-of-year Springbok tour. He is a towering figure that dominates at line-out time, but also mobile enough to contribute in the loose. Has the potential to develop into a cult figure at Newlands, like a certain Hottie Louw during a now bygone Stormers era.
CHRIS VAN ZYL
It is not everyday that you find, in this professional era, a player that is a qualified Chartered Accountant, but that is exactly what Van Zyl does when he is not captaining Western Province in the Currie Cup or tasting Super Rugby action with the Stormers. A quality team man that will never let any side down he plays for. And judging by his performance on SuperHero Sunday, which was rewarded with a game-clinching try, Van Zyl is champing at the bit to get the nod for Loftus. With Etzebeth still being placed on ice, there could no one better calling out the numbers at line-out time for the Stormers.
SALMAAN MOERAT
The former South Africa Under-20 and SA Schools captain would probably be on the starting roster for any other Super Rugby franchise in the country, but such is the strong competition for places at the heart of the Stormers scrum, that Moerat will most likely have to be content with a place on the bench, if he even makes the travelling squad. Reaching 2m tall, Moerat certainly has the height and bulk to rough it up with the toughest in SuperRugby and will only improve the more game-time he receives. After answering an SOS to Dunedin last year, where he made his Stormers debut against the Highlanders, the Paarl youngster should be over his first season nerves and ready to make a big impact when called upon. “As a youngster in the side I just want to keep learning‚ and if I get that opportunity I want to grab it with both hands. I’m just going to focus on the team,” he said recently.