Wales head coach Warren Gatland took full advantage of the Bulls playing Cardiff Rugby in the United Rugby Championship earlier this month and with Taulupe Faletau battling back from a broken arm, No.8 is a position that needs strengthening in his squad.
Storm Hanekom, a hooker who can also prop, was the first of the two Welsh qualified brothers to attempt to use their grandmother’s Welsh heritage when he came over to have trials with the Dragons three seasons ago.
At the time, his goal was maybe making the Wales U19/20 squad having just left the West Province Academy. He didn’t achieve that but did go on to play in the English Championship with Nottingham.
As for the 6ft 3in tall, near 17 stone back five player, he marked his first start for the Bulls in the URC with a two-try, man of the match performance in the opening day, 63-21 home win over Scarlets.
That brought a rave review from the former Springbok World Cup winning coach, Jake White, who is now in charge of the Bulls:
This story is from the November 19, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
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This story is from the November 19, 2023 edition of The Rugby Paper.
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