How former Shark has integrated into the Stormers' environment
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: A transfer can either elevate a player to new heights or derail a promising career.
And for Ntuthuko Mchunu, his move from the Sharks to the Stormers, which was signed in March, is beginning to look like a masterstroke.
The Stormers have endured a run of misfortune in the loosehead prop department over the past few years.
Multiple injuries and then the forced retirement of double World Cup winner Steven Kitshoff, the franchise faced a mini crisis in the front row. It was then that Director of Rugby John Dobson was eager to get Mchunu to join the Cape Town side.
A knee injury delayed his debut, but when he finally took the field last weekend, he made up for lost time. Mchunu delivered a commanding performance in the Stormers’ 26-17 Champions Cup victory over Bayonne, making his presence felt not only at scrum time but in open play as well. He carried 42 metres.
“I think from the moment I came on, everyone was very welcoming, and from the way we trained, from the way we just did things, connected, I really enjoyed it.
“So I think that’s why it was a bit frustrating when I couldn’t be part of it from the start.
“But I think that gave me more appreciation of what we’ve got here, and I just want to plough back what I’ve put in and what I’ve learned so far.”
Stormers scrum coach Rito Hlungwani believes the 26-year-old has already added a new layer of professionalism and fluidity to the pack. While his scrummaging is still a work in progress, his athleticism and influence in open play fit seamlessly into the Stormers’ dynamic style.
“I can’t say anything negative, he is right next to me, I might not be able to leave this room,” Stormers forward coach Hlungwani joked.
“But, yeah, he is someone highly professional, takes his work really seriously, very attentive when it comes to his review work.
“As you’ll have seen on film, very explosive. Probably the most important thing, he is a very good human being, which is extremely important for our environment.”
The coach added: “I’m so happy to have Mchunu and I’m really looking forward to building a very strong relationship and making sure that he also becomes a crowd favourite come the time he’ll play at Cape Town Stadium.”
This Saturday, the Stormers will host La Rochelle in a Champions Cup Round Two clash in Gqeberha – a fixture that promises another stern examination.
The French giants are renowned for their formidable set piece, and the two teams have a balanced recent history: one win apiece in Cape Town in the 2023/24 season, each by a single point. La Rochelle, however, holds the edge with their dramatic 22-21 Round-of-16 victory.
Mchunu knows exactly what lies ahead, including a possible scrum battle with world-class tightheads Uini Atonio and Joel Sclavi.
“La Rochelle are a quality outfit. I watched their game [a 39-20 win against the Leicester Tigers] on Sunday – their DNA at scrum time is similar to ours.
“Any South African front row prides itself on the scrum, and this will be a big set-piece battle. I’m excited to test myself against some of Europe’s best.”
#OPINION: The Stormers have succeeded in all the ways the Bulls and Sharks have failed during the first part of an eventful club season, writes @rugby365com contributor @jon_cardinelli 👇#URC #ChampionsCup https://t.co/mV1HCgFKtd
— Rugby365 (@rugby365com) December 8, 2025
Having made his Springbok debut in 2022 against Wales, Mchunu is widely tipped as one of South Africa’s emerging front-row stars. His journey is especially remarkable: originally a loose forward at school, he only moved to the front row a few years ago – drawing natural comparisons to Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira, the former Sharks and Springbok legend who made a similar transition.
If his Stormers debut is anything to go by, Mchunu’s career trajectory is pointing firmly upward. Saturday’s clash will offer another chance to prove it.
