Stormers prop Frans Malherbe won’t skrik vir fellow Springbok front-rowers at the Shark Tank this Saturday.
After spending a couple of Super Rugby seasons more on the treatment table than on the turf, Malherbe put in a solid 65 minutes in his first outing, a thrilling 19-17 victory against the Lions at Newlands at the weekend.
It wasn’t a rusty performance by any means, and he was actually integral in adding some much-needed krag to the pack along with fellow Bok Eben Etzebeth.
Speaking about his Stormers return, the No.3 says: “It is nice to be playing Super Rugby from the start. I played about four-five games off the bench last year.
“Very excited to see where we go. It was great to play 65 minutes. Obviously, I must be better, but there is time.
BATTLE: Tendai Mtawarira. Photo: BACKPAGEPIX
Turning his attention to the challenge on Saturday, against an undefeated Sharks team who top the SA Conference, Malherbe says he won’t stand back to Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira and Coenie Oosthuizen.
“Beast and the boys it’s going to be a big battle. They are very good. Beast and Coenie are highly respected and we’ll wait to see who they pick at hooker,” he says.
“Obviously, Coenie is a respected player and a very experienced prop. We have to do our analysing in the week.”
With this being a World Cup year, Bok coach Rassie Erasmus will be keeping a close eye on the tighthead’s progress, and particularly how he fares against fellow Bok contenders Beast and Coenie.
The latter, especially, has been outstanding in the opening rounds of Super Rugby and looks determined to make up for lost time after also spending a lengthy period on the sidelines through injury.