Springbok prop Ntuthuko Mchunu signed with the Stormers at the end of the last season, seeking a fresh start and more opportunities after struggling for regular starting positions at the Sharks.
He made his DHL Stormers debut in the Investec Champions Cup opener against Bayonne on Friday evening.
Mchunu has described the atmosphere within the Stormers camp as very welcoming and has expressed his enjoyment of the environment and training methods.
“I think from the moment I came on, everyone was very welcoming, and from the way we trained, from the way we just did things, connected, I really enjoyed it.”
“So I think that’s why it was a bit frustrating when I couldn’t be part of it from the start.
“But I think that gave me more appreciation of what we’ve got here, and I just want to plough back what I’ve put in and what I’ve learned so far.”
The Stormers signed Mchunu to add depth to the front row, especially given the long-term injury to Frans Malherbe and the retirement of Steven Kitshoff.
Stormers scrum coach Rito Hlungwani said he looks forward to working with Mchunu.
“I’m so happy to have Mchunu, and I’m really looking forward to building a very strong relationship and making sure that he also becomes a crowd favourite come the time he’ll play at Cape Town Stadium.”
“He is someone highly professional, takes his work really seriously, and is very attentive when it comes to his review work.”
“As you’ll have seen on film, he was very explosive. Probably the most important thing, he is a very good human being, which is extremely important for our environment.”