Our very own Eskom in action against the British and Irish Lions
Springbok Marco van Staden's alma mater, Hoërskool Bekker, wished him well against the British and Irish Lions on Wednesday night.
From Magaliesburg to Pretoria, the Springboks, the Barbarians and now the South Africa A side.
Homegrown flank Marco van Staden has been included in the starting line-up for the South Africa A side against the British and Irish Lions in Cape Town on Wednesday night. Kick off is at 20:00 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
More affectionately known as Eskom for tackling his opponents ‘lights out’, Marco will be joining Jasper Wiese and Pieter-Steph du Toit in the loose trio.
The 25-year-old Marco who found his rugby feet at Hoërskool Bekker in Magaliesburg has since made a name for himself in the rugby world.
Besides having represented Tuks in the Varsity Cup, Marco made his way to the Bulls representing the Pretoria franchise in Super Rugby, the Currie Cup and Rainbow Cup. He made his Springbok debut as reserve against Argentina in 2018 – a match the Boks won 34-21. He has three international caps to date and is yet to lose in a green and gold jersey. He will, however, join English club Leicester Tigers after national duty.
Marco’s alma mater sent him the following message (in Afrikaans) ahead of the match against The Lions:
Hoërskool Bekker is wéér baie trots op ons oudskolier, Marco van Staden, wat vanaand vir die Suid-Afrikaanse A-rugbyspan uitdraf! Marco, van skooltyd af het jy ons baie trots gemaak en soos die jare verby gegaan het, het jy harder en harder gewerk vir jou sukses en ons is baie trots om met jou geassosieer te word. Dankie dat jy ons inspireer! Ons wens jou alle sterkte toe met vanaand se wedstryd teen die Britse en Ierse Leeus by die Kaapstad-stadion. Jou Bekker familie sit met baie trots voor ons televisies vanaand om jou te ondersteun!
South Africa A side line-up against British and Irish Lions (July 14):
15 – Willie le Roux
14 – Cheslin Kolbe
13 – Lukhanyo Am (captain)
12 – Damian de Allende
11 – Sbu Nkosi
10 – Morné Steyn
9 – Faf de Klerk
8 – Jasper Wiese
7 – Pieter-Steph du Toit
6 – Marco van Staden
5 – Franco Mostert
4 – Eben Etzebeth
3 – Trevor Nyakane
2 – Joseph Dweba
1 – Steven Kitshoff
Replacements:
16 – Malcolm Marx
17 – Coenie Oosthuizen
18 – Vincent Koch
19 – Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg
20 – Rynhardt Elstadt
21 – Herschel Jantjies
22 – Jesse Kriel
23 – Damian Willemse
24 – Kwagga Smith
25 – Elton Jantjies
• Source: SA Rugby.
