The Stormers are set to welcome back several Springboks for Saturday’s investec chamopions cup clash against La Rochelle in Gqeberha.
Forwards coach Rito Hlungwani on Monday emphasised that while their Boks – Damian Willemse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Cobus Reinach, Ben-Jason Dixon and Zachary Porthen – may not have been physically present on tour, they have been embedded in every part of the Stormers’ processes.
“They’ve always been part of our system,” he said. “They’re in our huddles, our technical groups, they see everything we do – rugby or off-field. They fully understand how we want to play. So when they come back, they’re not disrupting anything. They just slot in.”
Stormers coach John Dobson and captain Salmaan Moerat had been at pains last week to emphasise the unity and cohesiveness of a hard-working group which saw the Stormers win their opening six matches in the Vodacom URC, before an impressive win away at Bayonne on Friday in the Champions Cup.
However, Hlungwani does not see any disruption caused by the returning Springboks, emphasising that their status does not guarantee selection.
“We want an environment where people compete for positions. As much as the Boks are aligned, they know someone here wants their jersey – in a positive way,” he said. “No one relaxes because they’re a Springbok. You have to produce. The guy who held that position wants it just as badly.
We’re quite happy to have them back and we don’t see it as an interruption or as a negative thing in terms of the cohesion that we have built with the guys who were not with the Springboks.
“We strongly feel the Springboks will come back in and slot in properly because they really understand what we are all about, how we want to play, and it’s something that we work hard on to make sure, even when they’re not here. They consistently understand our plans and where we’re going, where we want to improve.”
That clarity of systems and roles, he believes, is why players stepping in – from flyhalf Clinton Swart to loosehead Ntuthuko “Tuks” Mchunu – have thrived.
“The squad is very clear on how we want to play. So, when someone like Clinton starts for the first time, he fits in. Same with Tuks – our scrum didn’t look like it changed. When you get an opportunity, your job is to lift the standard.”
With La Rochelle bringing their trademark physicality, Hlungwani believes depth and unity will be crucial.
“We’re building a really good squad. Everyone challenges each other. The cohesion is strong – and the Springboks understand it. They’re coming into a tight group, and they’ll make us stronger.”