A full Loftus will light up Eskom's day
SPOTLIGHT: The saying ‘one man’s loss is another man’s gain’ can sum up Marco van Stadens’ season when Springbok captain Siyamthanda Kolisi got injured.
Returning with a force after near career-ending concussions kept him sidelined for eight months, the man they call ‘Eskom’ fought back vehemently and immediately put his name back on the Bok contention list.
His exploits did not go unnoticed and on Saturday Van Staden will make his first start in a Springbok jersey in the stadium he loves to call home, Loftus Versfeld.
Back at the Bulls after a stint with the Leicester Tigers in 2021, where he only made eight appearances before injury upon injury hit, he started his comeback trail to the Green and Gold jersey with a massive performance against Lyon early in the year.
When his teammates failed to raise to the challenge, Van Staden never stood back and was the top tackler in the game with 17 tackles made.
Having the opportunity to start after ten Tests from the bench, is one that Van Staden will saviour for a long time to come.
“Loftus is definitely home and some of us haven’t played in front of a packed Loftus for a long time, especially at franchise level it doesn’t get as full as it can be. So for all of us [Bulls) being at home, it means a lot and is very special,” Marco told reporters on Tuesday.
And to do so with the bigger names in South Africa by his side, makes it even more memorable.
“I am grateful for the opportunity and to get a chance to play again. I think it’s healthy competition, everyone is pushing each other,” Van Staden said when addressing the media in Pretoria on Tuesday.
“We all have good relationships and I think it’s to bring the best out of each of us.
“I think there’s a bigger picture rather than individuals; we are representing a country and if we can bring the best out of each other to get the best guy out on the field, that will be the goal,” he said.
“It gives you a lot of confidence playing with Pieter-Steph and Duane; they have a lot of experience. Also, me playing with Duane when he was at the Bulls definitely helps.”
Asked about his thoughts on the prowess of the Wallaby loose forwards, Van Staden said every team will always want to slow down the ball.
“They obviously have good poachers; their focus point is to put our breakdowns under pressure. So it is obviously a threat but each team these days has good players that can poach on the ground.
“So I don’t think you focus on that one game, and not the next. Every team wants to slow that part down because you have over a hundred breakdowns in a game where you only have maybe eight scrums and a few line-outs.
“I think it’s a big part of the game and can be a big focus for all teams.”
