Neethling: 100 Stormers caps ‘bittersweet’

Neethling Fouche admits he will experience mixed emotions when running on to Cape Town Stadium for his 100th Stormers match on Saturday. LINDIZ VAN ZILLA reports.

The tighthead prop is set to reach the milestone in the Vodacom URC derby against the Lions.

“If I’m honest, the first thing I do is thank Jesus for giving me the opportunity to play rugby,” Fouche said on Monday. “It’s a privilege to do what I love. I’ve wanted to play rugby since I was a laaitie, playing mini-rugby. To sit here now is quite unbelievable.”

The 31-year-old said his career nearly ended at the Bulls almost a decade ago.

“In 2016, I was on the verge of stopping rugby. I was in a very low place. I spoke to my girlfriend at the time, who is now my wife, and she told me to keep going. My parents said the same. I stayed on for another season and that’s when things started to fall into place again, eventually leading me to the Stormers.”

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Fouche joined the Stormers in 2017 and has not looked back, becoming a stalwart for the Cape franchise and also making his Springbok debut earlier this year.

Fouche described the pending 100-cap milestone as “bittersweet”, revealing the emotional significance it holds for his family.

“I’d love for my father-in-law to be here,” he said. “He was a massive Stormers man – a miner from Rustenburg who had season tickets at Newlands.

“I have lots of photos with my wife when she was a little girl in all the Stormers’ arms, Breyton Paulse, Toks van der Linde and Corné Krige. I’ll just like to think he will be looking down and just thinking I’m proud of you, son.”

“At the end of the day, that’s what it’s about for me,” he added. “I want to make my parents, my wife and my kids proud. It’s a family affair, and I dedicate every game to them.”

Fouche said bringing up a century at Cape Town Stadium would be the perfect setting.

“To do it at home, in front of friends and family, is really special. It feels like a long time since we played there, and we’re all excited to be back.”

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On the field, Fouche credited former Stormers prop Brok Harris for continuing to drive standards in the scrum, which is one of the side’s most potent weapons.

“A lot of credit must go to Brocky,” he said. “He gets everyone to buy in. It’s never one guy – it’s an eight-man effort. We weren’t scrumming badly; it was about fine-tuning to take us to the next level.”

The Stormers have an enviable roster of prop forwards, including Oli Kebble, Ntuthuko Mchunu, Vernon Matongo, Ali Vermaak, Zach Porthen and Sazi Sandi, along with veterans Frans Malherbe and Fouche.

Fouche paid tribute to the influence of Springbok stars Steven Kitshoff and Malherbe on his development.

“Training against Frans and ‘Schips’ every day was brutal, but it made me better,” he said. “I’d walk off feeling finished, but I’d always ask questions. They were never shy to share their knowledge.”

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Reflecting on his late Springbok debut, which came against Georgia in July, Fouche said perseverance defined his journey.

“For tightheads, these things often come later,” he said. “To get that opportunity in my 30s made it so much sweeter. I’ve waited a long time and worked hard for it.”

A year ago, almost exactly to the day, Fouche scored the try which sealed a 29-10 win over Saturday’s opponents the Lions.

The try sparked wild scenes of celebration. Asked about it on Monday, he laughed and said: “Yeah, it’s nice when the backs sometimes pass to you in space. You can also show some speed.”

Photo: EJ Langner/Gallo Images