Loose forward Marcel Theunissen says that the DHL Stormers squad are refreshed and ready to get their Vodacom URC challenge back underway against Ospreys at DHL Stadium this weekend.
Following their one-point defeat in the Investec Champions Cup Round of 16 against defending champions Stade Rochelais, the DHL Stormers had the chance to recharge last week and Theunissen says that he and his teammates arrived at the High Performance Centre on Monday ready to pour everything they have into their Vodacom URC campaign.
“The downtime was beneficial for our team to recharge and bond, preparing us for the demanding weeks leading into the playoffs.
“As the Vodacom URC log is tightly contested, it’s vital that we deliver strong performances, not just for ourselves but also for the people of Cape Town,” he said.
Theunissen has made 14 appearances in all competitions this season, and the 24-year-old believes the competition for places in the back row at the DHL Stormers has helped take his game to the next level.
“The competition among the loose trio is and will always be fiercely tough, which drives me to continuously improve and push myself to my limits,” he said.
“My approach is to focus on incremental improvement, aiming to be better than I was yesterday, and consistently putting in the hard work across all aspects of the game.”
Ospreys travel to the Republic on the back of an EPCR Challenge Cup quarterfinal exit while pushing for a top-eight finish in the Vodacom URC, and Theunissen is eager to test himself against the likes of seasoned Wales flanker and skipper, Justin Tipuric.
“Ospreys are performing well in the Vodacom URC and are currently on a strong trajectory. We’ll need to be well organised and bring our A-game.
“Competing against the best is always a valuable opportunity to measure my skills and game. I would eagerly seize the chance with both hands and give my best effort.”