Theunissen hitting the next level
Loose forward Marcel Theunissen has made an impressive start to the Vodacom United Rugby Championship season on tour in Europe and is determined to continue raising his game.
The DHL Stormers will conclude their three-match European tour in the Vodacom URC against Edinburgh at the Hive Stadium on Saturday, and Theunissen can’t wait to get stuck in again.
The 25-year-old has started at openside flank in both of the DHL Stormers’ opening fixtures of the 2024/25 campaign, against the Ospreys in Wales and Zebre Parma in Italy.
“I’m enjoying it. It’s always nice to get opportunities,” Theunissen said. “You must just take it when you get it. I’ve got two starts and I’m feeling quite good. I’m feeling ready for the season ahead.
“The whole forward pack is working together quite nicely. We’ve been working hard since that first game together against Suzuki Griquas in the Carling Currie Cup. We’ve set high standards and we just want to go out and perform to our best.”
Having made his debut for the DHL Stormers in October 2020, Theunissen played a role as the Capetonians charged towards the inaugural Vodacom URC title in 2021/22. He has slotted in seamlessly across the back row while also making an immense impact off the bench.
This season, Theunissen has been given a chance to showcase his skill set at No. 6, and the Grey College old boy is relishing the opportunity.
“To be honest, I’m developing in the No. 6 role,” Theunissen said. “I’m learning every single week. I feel that I’m getting better and using the opportunities when I get them.
“Going forward, I’m happy to play where the coaches need me. At the moment, I’m focusing on playing at openside flanker. I will do my best and work on any work-ons. I’m happy in the role and trying to get better every week.”
The DHL Stormers scored four tries against Zebre Parma at the Stadio Sergio Lanfranchi en route to a commanding bonus-point victory in Round Three of the Vodacom URC last week, and the first win of the season for the visitors.
“It was a very good win against Zebre. We had a full week of training on tour where we didn’t travel. We worked hard in training and were quite tight the whole week,” Theunissen explained.
“There were quite a few work-ons from the first game against the Ospreys. We were focused for the whole week. It was a good performance on Saturday night and we are taking a lot of positives and confidence out of the win. We are taking that into this week and building on it.”
Next up, the DHL Stormers have a clash with Edinburgh in the Scottish capital on Saturday night, and Theunissen is eager to test himself against a star-studded forward pack that includes South African-born Scotland loosehead prop Pierre Schoeman.
“It’s a very nice opportunity for me. Playing against internationals, just to measure myself and see where I am against players like that,” he added.
“I’m looking forward to it. I always try to see the opportunity. I will do my best and try to show them how it’s done.
“Our loose trio as a whole has the ability and the coaches need us to slow the ball down, just to give the defence a few more seconds to set and get the line speed. It will definitely help against an Edinburgh team that likes to attack off quick ball.”
