Mchunu: From Loose Forward To Stormers’ Try-Scoring Prop
Stormers prop Ntuthuko Mchunu says he has quickly felt at home in Cape Town since joining the franchise from the Sharks, embracing both the culture and the high standards expected within the squad.
The loosehead prop, affectionately known as “Tuks”, admitted that an early injury setback actually helped him settle into the group after arriving at the Stormers.
“I felt very welcomed. I enjoyed pre-season. The coaching team demands a certain standard, and that is always a challenge,” said Mchunu.
“I had an injury that sidelined me for 12 weeks, which allowed me to get to know the boys. It was then up to me to take the baton and move forward while maintaining the standard.
“The boys really embraced me and what I brought. We share a lot of ideas about how we can improve as a pack and as a front row, and we’re quite close.
“It’s a good group of guys who work hard for each other, for our supporters and our families, and to make each other proud.”
Mchunu has already made a strong impression in Stormers colours, most notably scoring a brace against the Glasgow Warriors to take his tally to four tries in his last three matches.
“It feels good,” he said. “As a prop, you don’t get too many opportunities like that, but I’m happy to contribute to the team’s success.
“It’s about making sure the plans we put in place during the week reflect in our performances on the weekend. It feels good to be part of that.”
Known for his explosive ball-carrying ability, Mchunu has drawn comparisons to legendary Springbok loosehead props such as Os du Randt and Tendai Mtawarira, but the 25-year-old is determined to carve out his own legacy.
“One of my strengths is definitely my ball carrying. The more I can sharpen that aspect of my game and make it an edge over other players, the more I will continue working on it and improving,” he said.
“It’s good to study and learn from past legends who followed a similar path, but it’s also about writing my own story.”
Despite harbouring ambitions of returning to the Springbok setup after his last Test appearance in 2024, Mchunu insists his immediate focus remains on the Stormers.
“Right now, my main focus is on the Stormers,” he said.
“If I play well enough and the people in charge believe I deserve to be there, then I’ll get another opportunity.
“Hopefully, with the Stormers, we can go all the way in the URC, and perhaps a Springbok call-up will come as a reward.”
Attention now shifts to a difficult away assignment in Belfast, where the Stormers face another stern challenge on a notoriously demanding 4G pitch.
“It’s a difficult surface to play on. You need to get your studs right,” said Mchunu.
“I’ve played in Belfast before, and it’s a tough crowd. It’s not an easy place to win, but it can be done.
“Coach Brok (Harris) has prepared us well. As forwards, we’ve worked hard to prepare for this game with the same intensity and accuracy that we always strive for.”
