DHL Stormers speedster Suleiman Hartzenberg is eyeing a major transition into the midfield as he builds up his match fitness through the Currie Cup. The 23-year-old utility back made his highly anticipated return from injury for the Stormers XXIII last week, following a minor surgical procedure.
Now completely recovered, the former Junior Springbok is focused on proving his worth ahead of the upcoming United Rugby Championship (URC) campaign.
“Coming back from injury, the important thing right now is to get game time. At the end of last season I didn’t play as many games.”
“Returning from rehab now is just to get playing again and make the most of the opportunity to play in the Currie Cup, and express myself.
“Whatever lies ahead with the new season, I’ll take it as it comes.”
Hartzenberg’s pre-season progress was temporarily halted by a knee irritation that required surgical intervention. However, the dangerous outside back confirmed that the worst of the ordeal is now firmly behind him.
"I had a clean-out about six weeks ago, but I’m back from that so it will be good," Hartzenberg said, speaking on his road to recovery.
“Whatever lies ahead with the new season, I’ll take it as it comes.”
Renowned for his blistering pace and elite finishing in the wide channels, Hartzenberg is looking to add more strings to his bow. Rather than limiting himself to the wing, he hopes his ability to operate comfortably at outside centre will give him a competitive edge when John Dobson selects his premier matchday squads.
Modern rugby increasingly demands multi-functional athletes, a tactical shift that the young back is fully embracing.
"If they need me at centre, then I can jump in there, especially with how the game is going now," Hartzenberg explained. "Being versatile is probably better for me going forward. If I’m great at wing, I need to be great at 13 as well."
With the DHL Stormers intensifying their preparations for the upcoming URC season, game time in the domestic Currie Cup serves as a vital platform for returning stars to find their rhythm.
For Hartzenberg, these local derbies provide the perfect testing ground to refine his positional defensive reads at 13 while re-establishing the explosive form that made him a fan favourite in Cape Town. If he can master both roles, he will paint a very comforting picture for the coaching staff ahead of a demanding cross-border season.
