Marco van Staden spent much of his formative rugby years playing scrum-half and centre before settling on flank. He has started a Test match for the Springboks at No 8, and now has added the position of hooker to his repertoire.
The product of the agricultural school Bekker in the Magaliesberg only became a loose forward in matric. At 30, he says he is now confident in the No 2 jersey after being encouraged by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus to broaden his versatility a few years ago.
Van Staden came on at hooker during the Bulls’ second-half demolition of the Dragons last week, scoring a quick-fire two tries to take the game away from the Welshmen. He replaced Johan Grobbelaar, who had just scored a try himself in the 47-7 victory.
Van Staden has had increasing game-time at hooker because of the serious injury to Akker van der Merwe, who hurt his neck four months ago.
“I’m enjoying hooker a lot,” Van Staden said from Llanelli, where the Bulls are preparing for their match against the Scarlets on Saturday night. “The training and preparation we do make it easier to slot in and cover that role as best as I can.”
Van Staden said that preparation included mastering the technical details of the position.
“There are a lot of things to think about — where to close, the break foot, the hook. It’s very different, but training with the props and getting advice makes it easier.
“I keep working on the fundamentals of flank, but if I’m selected at hooker, I focus mainly on that during the week.”
Van Staden added that his growing role as an impact forward carries an important responsibility for the team’s goal.
“We know we have a job coming off the bench,” Van Staden said. “We can’t just go on and carry on; we have to bring impact. It’s not just about lifting the tempo, it’s about getting go-forward.
“If the fresh forwards can come on and get us just that extra bit of momentum on every carry, in the scrums, in the mauls, it makes a massive difference for the backline as well.
“So for us it is definitely how we can use our forwards the best we can.”
