Kings Park is a chance for Suleiman to measure himself

It’s a measure of the depth of talent that has been developed in South African rugby that Suleiman Hartzenberg has yet to feature in any serious Springbok conversations - but you can bet that his time will come.

It is easy to forget that the Bishops old boy is just 21, having turned that age in May this year. For he’s been playing for the DHL Stormers since 2022, when he was just 19, and his many telling interventions in games as an attacking player have become a commonplace feature at the Cape franchise.

Stormers coach John Dobson rated him when he started as a star for the future in the league of Canan Moodie, who broke through at that age for the Vodacom Bulls and has subsequently played for the Springboks. It is why Hartzenberg is one of the players that Dobson has signed up until 2027, when the hope is that several of the young Stormers stars coming through will hit their peak.

That view may well yet be vindicated, for the player who dazzled as a schoolboy and has impressed with his pace on the Stormers wing has time on his side. Not many players have cracked it into senior rugby at his age, and he strikes one as a player eager to learn.

LIKE JEAN HIS CHANCE AT CENTRE WILL COME

For a start, he’s not yet playing regularly in his preferred position of centre. That’s nothing to be concerned about, for former Stormers legend, Jean de Villiers, served his initial apprenticeship with the Boks under Jake White playing mostly on the wing. When Hartzenberg has played in the midfield though, such as in a URC derby against the Bulls in the Christmas week of 2022, he’s given an impressive glimpse of what could be to come when he eventually moves into the No 13 jersey currently worn by veteran Ruhan Nel.

“I do see my future at centre but at the moment the team needs me to play wing so that is where I am happy to play,” said Hartzenberg during a break in the buildup to Saturday’s crucial Vodacom United Rugby Championship showdown with the Hollywoodbets Sharks in Durban.

“I am happy to swing between the two and just see where the opportunity comes. I have to pick up that challenge and be versatile.”

CHANCE TO PROVE HIMSELF

Of course being versatile won’t harm his chances of forcing his way into Bok coach Rassie Erasmus’ plans, and talking of challenges, the depth of players in his position (or positions) provides him with a great opportunity at Hollywoodbets Kings Park. While the number of star Boks in the Sharks team, particularly out wide, might sound like a daunting prospect, for Hartzenberg it is a chance to prove himself.

“For guys like the Suleiman the fact he will be playing against someone like a rated Bok hero like Makazole Mapimpi, if he plays, will be a great opportunity,” agreed Stormers backline coach Dawie Snyman.

There’s more to life than just rugby for Hartzenberg. Even though he is just starting out on his professional career, he is keeping an eye on his future beyond rugby by studying for a Bachelor of Arts in Humanities at UCT, which he is juggling with his rugby commitments.

“There are a lot of things I would consider for my life after rugby, maybe teaching or social work. I want to do something that will have a positive impact (on the community),” he said.

LEARNING OFF MORE EXPERIENCED TEAMMATES

Although the Stormers have struggled a bit so far this season, Hartzenberg is thriving on the environment that has been created by Dobson, and is learning a lot from training regularly with established Springboks like Damian Willemse and Manie Libbok, while fellow Bishops old boy Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu is of course also now a Bok. There’s also the experience that has been accumulated by fullback Warrick Gelant, part of the 2019 RWC winning group, as well as veterans Nel and Dan du Plessis.

“It’s been amazing for me. Everyone is happy to help you. If there are certain things in your game that you can do a bit better, they help you approach it in a different way,” says Hartzenberg.

“It’s been really positive for me. The environment at the Stormers is about everyone helping one another and getting the best out of each other.”

While like all South African players he dreams of playing for the Boks, he is singularly focussed at the moment on delivering for the Stormers.

“It is a privilege to be in the set-up, particularly at such a young age. For me it is all about doing my best for the Stormers and seeing what happens. I have to perform for the Stormers first, and from there I can get my higher honours. But I know I have to perform here in order to get that call.”