Refreshed Neethling Fouche ready to fire for Stormers against Cardiff

A refreshed Neethling Fouche is fired up to get back on the park and put in a big effort for the Stormers when they take on Cardiff in their final United Rugby Championship (URC) pool match at the Cape Town Stadium on Friday night.

Fouche has frustratingly been out for the last six weeks, after he picked up a red card for head collision in a tackle against Ulster in March, which many local pundits and coaches believed was a rugby incident and undeserving of a suspension.

However he was handed a four match, which was upheld despite the Stormers appealing the decision, and thus missed their last three URC matches, with him able to return this week thanks to completing tackle school.

Speaking at a training session this week, Fouche chose to look at the positives, and was grateful for the opportunity to rest his body after a tough season so far.

Silver lining

“I am a great believer that there is always some silver lining to every disappointment. It has been really disappointing sitting out these three games. When you are not playing you do feel more anxious,” explained Fouche.

“The last two that I was here to watch were OK because we won comfortably and there were no grey hairs but the first one against Connacht had me at home sitting with my pillow over my head, unable to look.

“Disappointment can quickly be turned around into a positive, and I got over the disappointment of being told I was suspended for three games by figuring out that it was a chance to get rid of a few niggles and to freshen up a bit.

“Fortunately there was no setback for the Stormers while I was out and we won all three games with bonus points, so looking back it has been good. The season started with the pre-season in early September and my minutes have been high. So I was able to say to myself, ‘OK, listen, maybe your body does need a rest’.”

Front row depth

One of the positives for the Stormers during Fouche’s time out has been the impressive performance from their back up brigade, who have massively stepped up after Frans Malherbe was also ruled out with injury, and Brok Harris retired after injuring his knee.

“The great thing for us at the Stormers is that there are always new guys coming through, and with Frans also out it offered an opportunity to Sazi (Sandi), and I thought he did really well.

“Vernon (Matogo) also showed us what I have always thought of him, which is that he is going to be a big name loosehead in the future. And then there’s Ali Vermaak who has been playing for 43 years,” joked Fouche.

“I do have a soft spot for Vernon. This is the first season he has been training with us and you just know when you are a tighthead when you are going up against a loosehead that has got it. He puts me under so much pressure (in training).

“He’s always asking for advice and listening, he is always willing to learn and he is just getting better and better. I really think he is a loosehead prop we should be really excited about.”