Ex-Stormers No 9 wants to impress
IT will be a start of a new era for energetic scrumhalf Louis Schreuder when he runs out to play for the Southern Kings against the Jaguares at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium today.
After playing 66 matches for the Stormers, the experienced Schreuder will be making his Super Rugby debut for the Kings in a high-stakes opening game for the Eastern Cape franchise.
Flyhalf Lionel Cronje will also be donning a Kings jersey for the first time in Super Rugby and his partnership with Schreuder could hold the key as to how the Eastern Cape franchise fare this season.
Schreuder, 26, who has just returned to South Africa after a stint in Japan with the Kubota Spears, said it was crucial that the scrumhalf and flyhalf were on the same wavelength.
“Scrumhalves and flyhalves need to share a house and do everything possible to be a combination,” Schreuder said.
“They should be together and they should be in one another’s faces all the time and they must gel and be inseparable. This is very important, specially for a new partnership.”
Schreuder arrived in South Africa just before the Kings went on a week-long camp to Port Alfred and he had some valuable game time for his new team when they beat the SWD Eagles 4224 in a warm-up game.
“There is no easy start to any Super Rugby campaign and I think the Jaguares will be better than last year,” Schreuder said.
“Our next game is against the Sunwolves and with the travelling to Singapore it will be a big challenge. Then we will be facing my old foes, or mates at the Stormers in Port Elizabeth, so any start is difficult.
“Our staff will know how to manage the longhaul trip to Singapore. Then there are the high temperatures that we will have to deal with.
“When I played for the Stormers last year we ended up drawing with the Sunwolves. The National Stadium there is very nice and state of the art with a roof that can close.”
Schreuder was vicecaptain of the South Africa U20 team that competed in the 2010 IRB Junior World Championship in Argentina.
An injury crisis during the 2013 Incoming Test series meant he received a call-up for the Springboks.
He didn’t get any game time but he was again named in the Springbok squad for the 2013 endof-year Test series games against Wales, Scotland and France.
Once again Schreuder was unable to earn a slot in the match day squad but gained valuable experience training alongside fellow scrumhalves Fourie du Preez, Ruan Pienaar and Jano Vermaak.
Asked if he had returned to South Africa to rekindle his Bok hopes, Schreuder said: “To be honest, not really. In 2013 I had a bit of a sniff but did not really get there. Obviously everyone wants to play for the Springboks and it is a dream and goal but I am here for the Kings and want to do as well as possible for them.
“I want to try and take my game to a level where it has not been before. If I end up there by God’s grace, then so be it.”
Born in the Western Cape, Schreuder came through the ranks at Western Province and made his senior debut against Border during the 2010 Vodacom Cup.
Super Rugby caps arrived the following year as he took advantage of injuries to regular scrumhalves Dewaldt Duvenage and Ricky Januarie to earn valuable game time towards the end of the season.
Januarie’s departure ahead of the 2012 season saw Schreuder become the regular back-up to Duvenage and he made 14 substitute appearances during the campaign.
More game time arrived in the 2012 Currie Cup and he earned his first piece of senior rugby silverware as a 68thminute substitute for Nic Groom as Western Province upset the Sharks 25–18 in Durban to land their 33rd Currie Cup title.
2013 saw Schreuder take his game to a new level and, with Duvenage announcing he would join French Top 14 side Perpignan at the conclusion of the 2013 Super Rugby season, he saw much more action.
He started six games and made four substitute appearances as himself, Duvenage and Groom were all rotated throughout the campaign.
However, come the 2013 Currie Cup he appeared to have established himself ahead of Groom as Province’s first-choice scrumhalf. He played in all 12 of his side’s matches during the season, including nine starts as the Western Cape outfit reached their second consecutive Currie Cup final.
Schreuder was named in the starting line-up and was substituted in the 52nd minute as the Shark’s gained revenge on Western Province with a surprise 33–19 victory at Newlands.
Schreuder said he was happy that former teammate Groom was doing well in England for Northampton.
“Me and Nic go way back to 2008 when we played against one another at school. Then we were six years together at the Stormers. It was always up and down with him and me. happened very quickly,” Schreuder said.
“It took place in the space of three days. I was looking to get into Europe as a medical replacement and then the Kings needed someone. So I put my hand up and said I am more than ready to come and play because I need game time.
“It is definitely an adjustment to play Super Rugby. I was in a system for six years at the Stormers and then in another one at the Kubota Spears.”
Schreuder enjoyed his time in Japan and would like to return to the Spears.
“Hopefully, I can go back and they make their decisions at the end of April. But now I am full out with the Kings.
“It was unbelievable in Japan. It is another culture and the language is different. I am in love with the country and it is awesome. It was good for me in the six months I was there and I needed a bit of a break. The people are unbelievable. Everything works and it is a very efficient country.
“Many people underestimate the standard of Japanese rugby. There is a lot of talent and at the moment the game is growing and other countries must take note. It is not so far behind, though it is not at Super Rugby level.”
Schreuder says he would like to be seen as the complete scrumhalf at the end of the season.
“Obviously I like to think I have a good passing game and I am one of the quicker okes at the breakdown and my passing is quick.
“I also have got the kicking, which is also a strong point of my game and in Japan I tried to just get my allround game up to level and to get the support play and defence on par.
“I would like to see myself as a complete scrumhalf at the end of the season, but it is too early to tell,” Schreuder said.