The Enforcer
Much is expected of former SA Under-20s captain Salmaan Moerat
As a lock thatwears No 4, Salmaan Moerat is clearly not into aesthetics. He is flattered that he and Stormers lock-partner JD Schickerling are being compared to Springbok second-row blue-bloods Bakkies Botha and Victor Matfield.
Obviously Moerat would be Bakkies. “It’s a massive honour and privilege,” said Moerat after his chuckle subsided.
“If we can be spoken about in the same breath then it is a good thing. We still have a lot more to learn, to live up to that calibre.
“They were great Springboks and we can only aspire to be like they were.”
The yin and the yang relationship Botha and Matfield forged is in part being replicated by the Stormers pair.
Performs that part really well
The mere presence of Botha andMatfield on the team sheet, for different reasons, struck fear into the opposition. Moerat knows all too well he and Schickerling will need to spend a lot more time in the second row to also “auto complete” each other.
“It is really enjoyable,” said Moerat about their partnership. “He’s a really smart lineout organiser. He performs that part of the game really well. I try to focus a bit more on the physicality.
“We play really well together. I’m fortunate enough to have played with him. The calmness that he brings to me is a real asset,” stressed Moerat.
Though he holds Botha and Matfield in high esteem, the celebrated Bok pair wasn’t his sole source of inspiration in his formative years. “As a youngster I really admired a player like Jerry Collins,” he said before naming Brodie Retallick and Eben Etzebeth as locks that caught his eye.
Despite a year like no other, Moerat believes some benefits can be salvaged.
“It was a very long break and it was a good time for the body to recover. I know it was abnormally long but if used wisely it can actually be beneficial.”
It will feel even more like an out-of-body experience when the season drags into the summer months.
“It will be a big adjustment. It is going to mean we take a lot more responsibility on the recovery and hydration,” said Moerat.
He is philosophical about what the pandemic has presented the game.
“It is important that we don’t take anything for granted. This Covid situation showed anything can be taken away from you. You must make the most out of your opportunities. It has given me appreciation for what I have and what I am able to do,” said the firmly grounded 22-year-old.
He comes from a family that has deep roots in the game.
That, along with his toil, helped carve him a decorated and straight route to the professional ranks.
“My family is well known for their rugby. It was always a driving force and inspiration for me,” said Moerat.
“My father [Nazim] is definitely the biggest driving force in why I want to achieve certain goals. In a way it is a very good thing that your family is known for their sport.
“It gives you that drive. You kinda want to make them happy as much as yourself.
“For it has always been a privilege being spoken of as part of a rugby family.
“Hopefully I can really make them proud,” he said.
That of course neatly leads to “what next” for Moerat.
My father [Nazim] is definitely the biggest driving force
Salmaan Moerat
Stormers lock
Perfect opportunity to prove yourself
Apart from a few retirements, the Rugby World Cup-winning Boks seemed to have been frozen in time.
With no Tests for the Springboks this year, there was no way in for outsiders like Moerat. “It is a bit of a missed opportunity for a lot of young players,” he concurred.
“In saying that, if we continue playing and are consistent in our performance it will be noticed.
“Hopefully, in the near future, playerswill get more opportunities. This competition we are in is the perfect opportunity to prove yourself and show your willingness and eagerness to hopefully one day represent the Springboks.
“We know it is going to be a long season. I think it is important that players build momentum going into next year.”