Marcel Theunissen set to play pivotal role in Stormers’ URC quarter-final against Glasgow Warriors

The Stormers are bracing for a dog-fight at the rucks and breakdowns against Glasgow Warriors in tomorrow’s first United Rugby Championship (URC) quarter-final in the Scottish city.

For Marcel Theunissen, loose forward of the Cape side, it will be another opportunity to push up his stocks as he faces some seasoned campaigners from the defending champions on their home turf.

But it’s not only at the tackle area where he will be a vital cog.

He’s also become a prolific lineout-jumper and ball carrier for his side, and those all-round skills will be crucial as the Stormers push for a semi-final spot at Scotstoun Stadium (8.35pm start).

The loss of Ben-Jason Dixon and Deon Fourie after some unfortunate injuries this season benefited Theunissen, who had to wait for his opportunities in the Stormers jersey.

Now that he has received an extended run from coach John Dobson, it’s been difficult for other loose forwards to take his place.

And maybe this came as a blessing in disguise for the Cape side, who can now count on the versatile 25-year-old to fill the big boots of the injured Springbok duo.

He was first thriving in the No 6 jersey, with Fourie out, but has now shifted to blindside flank in the absence of Dixon and has proven himself with some brilliant performances this season.

For Theunissen, though, the grafting won’t stop now as he looks to continue contributing to make their campaign a success.

The Stormers are looking to snap a four-match losing streak against the Scottish club.

“A game like this offers a good chance for us to make a statement,” Theunissen said this week from Glasgow.

“But when it comes to a team like Glasgow, you can’t highlight one aspect of their game as being a weakness, because they have an overall very good game-plan.

“You can’t be off on a single aspect of the game against them. We’ve been talking about this the whole week.

“Whether it is in the scrums, mauls, breakdown, or open play, whatever it is, you must front up in every aspect.”

He attributes his prowess in the lineout to his teammates, who have helped him adapt to the role as a blindside flanker.

Theunissen has always had a love for reading the lineouts and competing on opposition throw-ins.

But as an openside flanker, he had to focus more on playing towards the ball.

With the shift to the opposite side of the scrum, he’s had greater opportunities to make an impact in the lineouts, while getting to carry the ball into space and contact, which is another thing he loves to do on the rugby field.

“When I play at number seven or eight, the opportunity to carry the ball is a bit more than if you play at six. I like to run with the ball. It is one of the strongest parts of my game,” Theunissen said.

“I’ve played against some of the Glasgow guys, and they are good players.

“This is a good opportunity to give our best and measure ourselves against their loose trio (which includes the likes of Rory Darge, Henco Venter, Jack Dempsey and Matt Fagerson).

“A lot of us have played on the 4G pitches, and it is not new to us.

“A lot of guys know how the momentum works on the pitch, and it won’t have a big role to play.”