Mchunu determined to make an impact from Bulls bench

SPOTLIGHT: Khutha Mchunu has embraced his role as an impact player for the Bulls, insisting that making a difference off the bench is just as important as starting.

A few years ago, a spot on the replacement bench might have been viewed as a punishment.

However, since the Springboks’ back-to-back Rugby World Cup triumphs, the importance of the bench has taken on a new meaning under Rassie Erasmus and his management team.

The bench is no longer simply about providing cover or bringing on finishers. It is about having a group of players capable of changing the course of a match.

Bulls tighthead prop Mchunu is one player who understands that responsibility.

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The 29-year-old has played four games for the Bulls from the bench this season. While he is eager to earn a starting spot, he does not underestimate the value of his role as a replacement.

“I just want to serve where I’m needed. Coach Akkers [Bulls head coach Johan Ackermann] has a plan. He has a plan for all of us,” said Mchunu.

“I think if he gives me the opportunity to start, I’ll take it with both hands. And if he requires me off the bench, I’m also happy with that.

“I think if you look at the trend of rugby these days, some of the second halves are more important.

“If you look at the Springboks as well, how they come on as a pack of players with games in the balance. So, we take pride as well, wherever we play.”

The Bulls currently sit third on the United Rugby Championship (URC) table after surviving a fightback from Ulster to secure a 34-26 bonus-point victory in Round Four last weekend.

Ackermann’s side raced into a 21-0 lead after 32 minutes before the visitors began to find their feet.

However, the Bulls were left disappointed by their second-half performance, and Mchunu is eager to be part of the side that addresses those shortcomings when they face Scarlets.

“We weren’t happy with the second-half performance, particularly against Ulster,” Mchunu told reporters.

“We let ourselves down a little bit in terms of penalties, letting Ulster come back into the game. We’re looking forward to the game this weekend and trying to rectify those mistakes. We’re trying to finish on a strong note here at home, in our last game before the November break.”

The Bulls faced an early kick-off against Ulster last weekend, which meant they had to contend with water breaks. This weekend’s later kick-off against Scarlets, however, presents a different challenge.

Playing at Loftus Versfeld often means dealing with challenging conditions, but Mchunu believes the Bulls are well prepared to handle the heat.

“Obviously, it’s tough, but we embrace that. I’ll be honest with you.

“If you go back to our pre-season, we train when it’s at its hottest.

“We actually look forward to those games to embrace the heat. Just go out there and show the preparation that we’ve put in.

“The heat is part of it. When teams come to play at Loftus, that’s one of the advantages for us. We’re used to the heat.

“If we go up north and play in cold weather, it’s an advantage for them because we’re not used to it.

“We embrace it. But obviously, 17:00 SAST will be a little bit better.”

A brotherhood built on competition

Away from rugby, Mchunu shares a close bond with his brother, Ntuthuko Mchunu, who plays for the rivals Stormers.

Both are powerful front-row forwards, and their competitive nature was evident long before they made it to the professional ranks.

“My brother played hooker as well. From a young age, it was always competitive in the house.

“Everything was a battle. We loved it. Our father hated it, to be honest.”

Although the brothers now represent different teams, they continue to lean on each other for support, particularly when the demands of professional rugby become challenging.

“Obviously, playing rugby and understanding what it takes to play at this level, and sometimes how lonely it can be when things aren’t going well.

“So, just to have that support structure is massive. Someone who understands what it’s like to be in those positions, it’s crucial.

“Obviously, at the Sharks as well. So, yeah, we’ve always just been there for each other.”

While both brothers pursued rugby, their father, Mfanono, was a footballer.

“Big guy, big hands, big feet.

“Not the tallest, but he wore a size 14, and he was shorter than me.

“In his day, he played football – not professionally.”

Inspired by The Beast

Growing up, one of Mchunu’s biggest rugby idols was former Springbok prop Tendai ‘The Beast’ Mtawarira.

Mchunu’s early exposure to rugby came through television, with the 2007 Rugby World Cup leaving a lasting impression on the young forward.

“When I was young, obviously, you can’t look past a guy like The Beast. He was a guy.

“Growing up, we didn’t really have DStv or any kind of that stuff. So, the 2007 World Cup, when it was played, used to be shown on SABC2 as well. It would be an hour later, or whatever, after the game had been played. That was the first time I’d ever watched rugby.

“And from there, it was just guys like Os du Randt, those guys, watching them play. I was fascinated by the physicality of the sport.

“The following year, in 2008, Beast became a Springbok. So, those guys were the ones I looked up to.”

Years later, their paths crossed at the Sharks, where Mchunu’s professional career began after being schooled at Glenwood in Durban.

“I was fortunate enough to play with him.

“I was on the bench when I made my [Sharks] debut, and he started, so we played in the same team

“It was a young kid’s dream come true, playing with the Beast.

“I’ve got a picture at home with him. It was just awesome – a young kid’s dream come true.

“Playing with The Beast. Guys like Akker van der Merwe were there as well. Thomas du Toit. The Sharks had Coenie Oosthuizen. It was just an absolute dream. I couldn’t believe it, actually.

“I was still only 20 years old at the time.”