Filling Pieter-Steph's boots
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With the South African public holding its collective breath, and then slowly releasing a sigh of relief over Pieter-Steph du Toit's injury, Super Rugby continues for the Sharks and Marco Wentzel.
The No.5 locking position is a specialised one, with the pressure falling on that player to run the line-out and secure possession from the set piece.
With the loss of Du Toit – for at least three months – the Sharks will perhaps now have to turn to an experienced journeyman in Marco Wentzel to fill his large boots.
Wentzel, now 35, has played for 11 teams in his professional career, as well as being capped twice for the Springboks.
He admitted that he was brought into the Sharks to help nurture and mentor the young No.5 locks – including Du Toit and Stephan Lewis.
However, there may well be a starting spot open for him after impressing against the Cheetahs of the bench last week, after Du Toit was injured.
"I was always going to be playing a supporting role to a guy like Pieter-Steph and Stefan Lewis," Wentzel told the media.
"I was going to help them with the calling of line-outs because I have a few years on them.
"Hopefully I have passed some tips onto them.
"But I am happy to get some game time, I am feeling fresh and good, so if they give me time I'll take it!"
There is little doubt that Wentzel is an experienced line-out calling lock, and if Victor Matfield is anything to go by, perhaps the No.5 only gets better with age – much like a No.3 front row forward.
Wentzel feels he will be able to slot into Du Toit's boots fairly easily with his experience in the position as well as his time with the Sharks.
"Line-out calling is an important job, but I think I have done it for enough years to be okay at it!" Wentzel added.
"I have worked with the guys for a while now and it is nice to have Gary [Gold] in because he is a former forward so he understands what happens up front.
"We also have world class players in Bismarck [Du Plessis] and the rest – it makes it a lot easier."
Wentzel, like his captain Du Plessis after the Cheetahs match last weekend, had best wishes for Du Toit as he looks to recover from his knee injury
"We are all heart-broken for him [Du Toit], he had a year out and came back in magnificent form, and we pray for his speedy recovery."
By Darryn Pollock
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