The second instalment of the ‘Series de Stormers’, this section deals with the men in the middle.

Please refer to the previous Stormers article on the props if you haven’t seen it yet for the explanation. Otherwise, enjoy, and go mad with the comments!

Deon Andre Fourie

HEIGHT 177 cm

WEIGHT 100 Kg

BIRTH DATE 25 September 1986 – Age 25

DHL Stormers Vodacom Super Rugby – 2008

Hooker

Deon Fourie, who has explosive pace, made his Super rugby debut in 2008. Accurate at the line out, and not afraid to shirk his responsibilities on the field, he is gradually growing into a potential leader. Has been mooted by Allister Coetzee on the side of the scrum, but will probably stay at hooker, rotating with Tiaan Liebenberg for the starting spot.

Clemen Lewis

HEIGHT 173 cm

WEIGHT 95 Kg

BIRTH DATE 10 October 1983 – Age 28

Boland Cavaliers 2005

Hooker

Boland Stalwart, Lewis is an abrasive hooker, and powerful runner. Been a feature in the Cavaliers side since 2005. An honest player and hard grafter. How much game time he gets will rest upon the fitness of the other hookers, I guess.

Christiaan Rudolph (Tiaan) Liebenberg

HEIGHT 185 cm

WEIGHT 111 Kg

BIRTH DATE 18 December 1981 – Age 31

Super Rugby Debut – Cheetahs – 2006

DHL Stormers Vodacom Super Rugby – 2007

Hooker

Except for a short stint in France in 2009, Liebenberg has played for the Stormers since 2007, where he was a major cog in rejuvenating the front row when it was really struggling. Captain of Western Province 2011, he is one of the primary ball carriers for the team, with the physicality to match his opponents, is a strong scrummager, carrying the ball over the advantage line consistently. Excellent in the loose, with that permanent smile, has the ability to get right up the opponents nose. Barring injury, he share the starting spot with Fourie.

Siyabonga (Skarra) Ntubeni

HEIGHT 177 cm

WEIGHT 92 Kg

BIRTH DATE 18 February 1991 – Age 21

Super Rugby Debut – Stormers – 2011

Hooker

Represented Golden Lions at Craven week 2009, “Scarra”, as he is affectionately known, is renowned for his leadership abilities and his accuracy in the lineouts SA schools 2009. The burly 20-year-old hooker has represented Western Province and the Stormers with some success of late, and has enjoyed his time in the Cape Town-based. He played for 79 minutes from 4 matches (All subs) off the bench in last years Super Rugby tournament. Although he was dropped from the Stormers squad last year and appeared on the WP bench, he is back in the Stormers squad.