Wolhuter ready for 'Oom Morne' challenge
SPOTLIGHT: Only a few players are fortunate enough to play against their childhood heroes.
And this Friday, Kade Wolhuter could become one of those players when Western Province faces the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.
The 21-year-old might get a chance to go up against 38-year-old Springbok flyhalf Morne Steyn.
The Bulls veteran has an incredible list of accolades, not only for the Pretoria franchise but for the Springboks as well.
However, Wolhuter will be all too eager to test his skills against the South African legend.
“I’ve been looking up to Morne since I was a primary schoolboy,” Wolhuter said when asked about the prospect of facing Steyn.
“So it will be a great challenge to play against him.
“I will enjoy the opportunity to do so.”
Wolhuter had an incredible start to his 2023 Currie Cup campaign, following his nine-month-long lay-off with a knee injury.
The young flyhalf was the star in WP’s 44-28 win over the Lions, contributing 19 points with the boot.
He kicked all five of his conversion attempts and three penalties and also proved really instrumental with the ball in hand.
“It has been a while since I’ve got out on the field, so to be able to contribute to the team, in my first game out, does a lot for my confidence,” Wohuter said.
“I am feeling very comfortable, but I’m also excited to be getting more game time, especially as I have a whole campaign to look forward to.”
#⃣ICYMI – WATCH as @CheetahsRugby coach Hawies Fourie tells @king365ed the true value of veteran @Springboks Ruan Pienaar and Frans Steyn#Rugby 🏉#RugbyUnion🌍@TheCurrieCup 🏆
🔗https://t.co/kG3ZouUgAD— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) March 15, 2023
Mental toll
The young pivot admitted that the injury really took a mental toll on him, but made him appreciate the game more.
“It was a nine-month period that I was physically out for. The physical side of it was easy, but the mental side took me a bit longer,” Wolhuter said.
“It’s been 22 months post-op and I am now finding that form again in the team.
“For me, it was about making peace and stopping feeling sorry for myself.
“It’s the best thing to happen to me because it made me appreciate the game more and want to be a better player. It was about accepting it and looking towards the future, putting my future back in my own hands.
“I came back a more rounded person, more than just a player.
“Now it’s about expressing myself, being given the freedom to do so, becoming less predictable and more of an attacking threat.”
The WP will announce their team to face the Bulls on Thursday.
#ICYMI: In-form @WP_RUGBY not underestimating wounded @BlueBullsRugby
#rugby #news #sports @TheCurrieCup https://t.co/ogbJxPzhQT— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) March 15, 2023
