Bulls want to make Marco van Staden's 100th cap a special occasion against Stormers

The resurgent Bulls hardly need any extra motivation when they host the Stormers in Pretoria on Saturday, but it has arrived in the form of a 100-cap milestone for the popular flanker, Marco van Staden.

The man they call "Eskom" —  because he puts the lights out with his big hits — is a roll-up-your-sleeves and get-on-with-it type of player whom teammates love. Van Staden made his Bulls debut in 2018 and spent a season with Leicester Tigers between 2021 and 2022 before returning to Pretoria, the city where he was born and bred.

Van Staden’s Bulls captain, Marcell Coetzee, said the 30-year-old is a much-cherished figure in the Bulls’ system.

“When I think of Marco, the first word that comes to mind is ‘warrior’,” Coetzee said of his fellow loose forward.

“He’s fearless, and he gives his heart and soul for this union every single day. He’s a humble guy who always puts the team first. We will play for Marco on Saturday. We want to make it special for him.”

Van Staden was sitting alongside Coetzee at yesterday's press conference. Like his captain, Van Staden took an unconventional route to rugby stardom; neither played Craven Week, with Van Staden instead proving his mettle in the Varsity Cup.

“It means a lot to me. It’s a big privilege to play 100 games for the Bulls," Van Staden said.

“Looking back at where it started and the route I took, I wouldn’t have done it any other way. I’ve learned a lot along the way, and I’ve met great people — teammates, coaches, and staff — who have all played a role.”

Van Staden added that every time he pulls on a Bulls jersey remains a special occasion. “Every game is special for me,” he said. “I know how short a career can be, so I try to treat every game like it could be my last and give everything I have. To put on the Bulls jersey is always an honour.”

Coetzee expects Saturday’s SA derby to live up to the storied history of the great North-South rivalry.

“It’s always special playing against the Stormers,” he said. “There’s an immense traditional and cultural history between these sides, especially if you look at the legends from both teams who have gone on to represent the Springboks through the years.

“When both teams do well, it’s always an indication that Bok rugby is in a good place. With the respect we have for each other, it’s going to be massive.

"The match will bring the best out of both teams. On the day, one has to stay composed, handle the emotions, be clinical, and soak in the atmosphere.”