Stormers youngster eye Bok jersey

SPOTLIGHT: Stormers utility back Suleiman Hartzenberg has opened up on his Springbok ambitions in an online press conference on Monday.

The 21-year-old made his Stormers debut at just 19 years of age against Connacht at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch, a stadium where his older brother Munier was a favourite for the university side Maties who now ply his trade at the Cheetahs.

The younger Hartzenberg hasn’t looked back since being thrown in the deep end at outside centre after playing in the Varsity Cup for UCT just the year before.

He represented the 2022 Junior Springboks in their victorious U20 Six Nations campaign in Italy and earned a spot in the team of the tournament.

Although he missed out on the 2023 Junior Springboks season through injury, he still spotted the eyes of the national selectors the year before when he represented the SA ‘A’ side against Munster and Bristol Bears and was invited to the first Springbok alignment camp in 2024.

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When asked whether he was disappointed on not being selected this season, Hartzenberg made his thoughts and ambitions clear on the subject.

“I won’t say I’m disappointed, but it’s something I’m striving towards [Bok selection],” said Hartzenberg.

“Even though I am quite young, it’s a privilege to be in that setup very young and to get the opportunity at a young age.

“So to me it’s about giving my best and try and see what happens and obviously I have to perform for the Stormers first and from there I’ll get higher honours, but I have to perform here in order to get that.”

Hartzenberg declared his preferred playing position but said that he doesn’t mind switching between the two.

“I do see myself playing centre in the future, but at the moment I think the team needs me at wing so I’m happy to swing between the two and just play rugby and see where the opportunity lies – not be scared to take up the challenge and be versatile.”

The Stormers are currently preparing for their coastal derby against the Sharks in Durban this coming weekend and has been training in the blistering Paarl heat this past week.

“It was tough, it’s good exposure for us especially now that summer’s coming, it’s a good prep, I think we definitely need it,” said Hartzenberg.

Assistant coach Dawie Snyman added: “We’re going to play in conditions where it’s summer and it’s going to be quite hot in a few of the games.

“So if we can get out to Paarl to train, we also like to move around a bit every now and then so it’s great training in the Paarl weather where a lot of our players come from.”