STORMERS PROP MCHUNU IS LOOKING FORWARD TO SCRUMMING AGAINST LA ROCHELLE’S PACK

THE Stormers know their pack of forwards’ krag will be put to the ultimate test when they face French giants La Rochelle in the Champions Cup at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.

And that’s why they’ll go all out to druk for their geluk. New prop Ntuthuko Mchunu, who made his debut in last weekend’s 26-17 win over Bayonne, and his teammates have been gevaarlik in the front-row shove this season.

Unbeaten in both the United Rugby Championship and the Champions Cup, the Stormers and La Rochelle have crossed swords twice before, with both games being won by a

one-point margin – the Kapenaars won 21-20 in 2023, with the Frenchmen returning the favour 22-21 last year.

Of what they are expecting from La Rochelle’s pack in the scrums, forwards coach Rito Hlungwani said: “They’ve got a very strong scrummaging team and we pride ourselves on a very good scrum. It’s something [scrum coach] Brok [Harris] and the forwards are working hard on. I’m sure it will be tough, but we are ready to take them on there and fight.”

One of the forwards looking to make life difficult for the Franse innie Baai is Springboks loosehead prop Mchunu, who joined the Stormers from the Sharks at the start of the season.

Mchunu said: “All South African front-rowers take pride in our scrums, it will be a big set-piece battle.

“They’ve got two international tightheads, I think one from

Argentina and one from France. And it is something we are looking to impose ourselves on and test ourselves against one of Europe’s best.”

While strong in the scrums, Mchunu is also giftig with ball in hand and said of making those stormram runs: “Everyone’s got their own trick in the pocket and that’s what makes us unique.

“I really enjoy carrying the ball, but first things first. Getting into any team in South Africa - set pieces are at the top of it all - scrumming, mauling, work rate etc.

“In a team like the Stormers, I only look forward to what’s to come. I really enjoy that part [ball in hand] of the game as well.”