As Marco van Staden prepares to run out for his 100th cap for the Bulls in Saturday’s United Rugby Championship derby against the Stormers, he does so not merely as a loose forward, but as a hybrid player that has almost become the new norm in South African rugby.
While the Loftus faithful know him as “Eskom” for his ability to turn off opponents’ “lights” with a big hit, he has become a player capable of shifting between the back row and the front row.
It’s a shift that was touted as an emergency measure for the Springboks during the 2023 Rugby World Cup after Malcolm Marx got injured after the first match against Scotland. Since then, Van Staden has made a few cameos at hooker, but has been the Bulls’ back-up in that position over the last few matches following Akker van der Merwe’s injury.
Van Staden has made his name as a proper openside scavenger, a player who plays towards the ball. It’s a thankless job. And now, he is expected to pull his weight in the middle of the front row as well.
It takes a special kind of personality to do both jobs, and, according to Bulls captain Marcell Coetzee, Van Staden has the temperament to succeed.
“When I think of Marco, the first word that comes to mind is ‘warrior’,” Coetzee said this week.
“He is fearless and he gives his heart and his soul for this union every day. He is a humble guy who always puts the team first above his own needs. He understands the culture, and it’s been an honour to have played a few games with him and share the journey.”
It is that “team-first” mentality that has also helped Van Staden adapt. He has taken the responsibility in his stride and is happy to contribute to the success of the team.
“It started when Akker [van der Merwe] was injured,” Van Staden said about his new role.
“Because I filled that role with the Springboks last season, it was easy to change. In general play, it’s very similar; it’s just the throw-ins into the lineout and the scrummaging. But I’m working hard with coach Werner [Kruger] and coach Daan [Human] to get comfortable.”
To bridge this gap between hooker and flank, Van Staden has immersed himself in extra sessions, leaning on the specialist hookers in the Bulls’ squad.
“I try to get as much detail off the field as possible,” he says. “Whatever position I play on the weekend, whether it’s hooker or flank, I need to make sure I know my details.
“I get a lot of help from the other hookers and that makes it a little bit easier. It’s about developing in both positions over the last couple of years. For me, I’ll play wherever the coach wants me to play and what is best for the team. If I can play that role to give the team an advantage, then I’m happy.”
If he features at flank on Saturday, Van Staden will likely cross paths with the Stormers’ rising star Paul de Villiers.
De Villiers and Van Staden are both likely to come off the bench in the North-South at Loftus Versfeld this weekend, with the battle on the ground set to be a key determining factor in the second half. Both players were recently invited to the Springboks’ alignment camp, with Van Staden impressed by the young De Villiers’ growth.
“Paul is having a great season. He has grown since he started playing for the Stormers and he was at the Springboks’ alignment camp now,” Van Staden said. “He has been consistent, playing well week in and week out. I’m very happy for him.”
