Andre-Hugo Venter is delighted to receive a first call into the Springbok alignment camp, but the DHL Stormers hooker has his eyes set on the derby against the Bulls at Loftus. DYLAN JACK reports.
Venter is among the 11 DHL Stormers players who will be part of the first Bok alignment camp of the year next week in Cape Town.
The 22-year-old was previously part of the international setup when he toured the UK and Ireland with the South Africa ‘A’ side in 2022.
However, with the North-South derby coming up on Saturday in Pretoria, Venter isn’t getting carried away with the potential of donning the Springbok jersey for the first time later this year.
“It’s truly humbling and I’m honoured to be selected for that group,” Venter said. “But you are only as good as your last game. I’m privileged to be part of that group, but it’s only going to be rewarding if I keep playing well and do my best. I just want to go onto the field and make a difference for the team.
“My focus is just on this weekend. The camp is only next week. What’s important is this weekend and the upcoming game.”
There has been plenty talk in the build-up to the derby about the Stormers extending their winning run against the Bulls to eight games. The Stormers have also not lost a local derby since December 2021.
“To be honest, the past is the past,” Venter said. “You need to pitch up in every game and you have to be at your best.
“If you look at the past derbies, it is probably the biggest fixture in provincial rugby in South Africa. There are always going to be emotions, no matter who has the winning or losing streak.
“For us, it’s important to be at our best and not to get involved in the emotions. It’s another game where we are going to have to fight.”
Venter is anticipating an armwrestle at what is expected to be a packed Loftus Versfeld, with the Bulls announcing 33 000 tickets sold on Tuesday afternoon.
“It’s always tough going to Loftus. Altitude always plays a role,” he said. “The crowd is always up for it, but hopefully we will see some Stormers flags that will push us on as well.
“It plays a massive role, seeing our fans in the crowd. We want to perform for them at the end of the day and put a smile on their face, so they can go home with pride.
“The Bulls are playing an unbelievable brand of rugby this season. It’s important – especially for our pack and front row – to pitch up physically. The Bulls have a great track record at home in the URC. We know that with how the Bulls want to play, we also need to be physical.”
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
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