Van Staden backs new Bok Hanekom to soar for Bulls

Vodacom Bulls loose forward Marco van Staden believes that the experience of test rugby will see his teammate Cameron Hanekom achieve new heights and continue to grow over the coming months.

And with a massive forwards battle expected when they open their Investec Champions Cup season against English side Saracens on Saturday, Van Staden is expecting a test-like battle up front for ascendancy.

The Springbok flanker is likely to be with fellow Boks Elrigh Louw and Hanekom for the game and come up against a Saracens pack that includes England international Ben Earl and Argentinian key player Juan Martin Gonzalez, both of whom have been exceptional at test level.

But that battle, as well as the will to win is what is firing the Bulls at the moment.

“Obviously, playing Saracens at home is always a challenge on its own. I think they're very good tactically when they play at home. Obviously, the two forward backs are going to have a nice battle in the evening,” Van Staden said from the team’s base in London.

“Our training has been going well and we believe we have prepared well. It's never easy and like we all know, Saracens is a very good team. We have to prepare to the best of our abilities.”

'DON'T TAKE ANYTHING LIGHTLY'

Van Staden said that Hanekom’s experience in making his test debut v Wales and becoming a Bok would do him well coming back to the Bulls and spoke of his teammate’s excitement at getting into the Green and Gold.

“For him, it was a massive privilege and honour making his debut for the Springboks and I believe he definitely deserves it. I think in his time with the Springboks, he's learned a lot that he can bring and add to his game. He's very excited to be back at the Bulls as well and keep doing what he's been doing, that's the reason he got the call-up to the Springboks.

“I'm very excited for his part as well. it's going to be a nice battle on Saturday, especially on the loose forward part.”

Van Staden said there shouldn’t be any confusion about the importance of the Champions’ Cup, which he believes is akin to test level.

“No, I don't think there should be any confusion. Any competition the Bulls participate in is very important. So this is just as important as the URC and if not bigger because you compete against two more countries,” he explained.

“So it's a massive club competition. We definitely don't take any competition we participate in lightly. Any competition the Bulls team participates in, we participate in it to win it. So yeah, we don't take anything lightly.

“It goes up to almost test level because there's so many internationals in the teams you play. All the teams are loaded with international players.”

The Bulls will name their side on Friday for the match.