Forwards Paul de Villiers and Vernon Matongo discuss the massive value of biding their time before stepping into key roles at the Stormers.
De Villiers captained the club for the first time in Saturday’s Investec Champions Cup win at Cape Town Stadium, where Matongo put in another massive shift at loosehead prop.
Both are graduates of the Stormers youth set-up, with 23-year-old De Villiers having already earned five Test caps since making his Springbok debut in July.
A former Junior Springboks skipper, De Villiers admits it was initially difficult to wait for his opportunity at senior level, but the hard work paid off.
PLUS: Dobbo pumped after ‘flat’ performance
“There were stages building up to this where I lost a bit of patience,” the flanker said after Saturday’s 49-12 victory over the Bristol Bears. “You want to play, you want to be on the field, and myself and Dobbo [John Dobson] had a few chats when I was still young.
“But I got through the ranks – I think I played every junior game there was – and that was massive for me. That’s probably why I can sit here today.
“I would say patience is a massive thing, and just being present in the moment. If that’s an U20 game at City Park, be in the moment and give your best because one day or two years later, it’s a different story.”
ALSO: ‘Wandi deserves more rugby’
Matongo, who made his Stormers debut against English side Harlequins in the Champions Cup two years ago, credits club legend Brok Harris and fellow props Neethling Fouché and Sazi Sandi for his success.
“I was fortunate enough to have Brok Harris as my U21 coach,” the 24-year-old added. “Sometimes, because he was coaching and the Stormers were training at the same time, we missed some of the sessions, and he packed down and scrummed with us as U21s.
“He really gave me confidence from that young age. Guys like Neethling Fouché and Sazi Sandi also really took me under their wing.
“So as Paul said, patience is massive.”
ICYMI: Seven-try Stormers skin Bears
On packing down against Boks Wilco Louw, Zach Porthen and Ntuthuko Mchunu at Stormers HQ, Matongo added: “Last Tuesday, we got back from tour and straight into it, scrumming against Wilco, Zach, Ntuks – it felt like you’re in a Springbok training camp.
“Their intensity is high, and the difference they made coming back … Being in this environment, with this team, is massive.”
Photo: Cole Cruickshank/Gallo Images
The post Patience pays off for Paulie D, big Vern appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Forwards Paul de Villiers and Vernon Matongo discuss the massive value of biding their time before stepping into key roles at the Stormers.
The post Patience pays off for Paulie D, big Vern appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
