Scarra Ntubeni is looking forward to facing off against a close friend when he runs out for his 100th DHL Stormers appearance against the Sharks on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.
Currently on 99 caps, Ntubeni is set to reach the landmark when the Stormers tackle the Sharks in a Vodacom URC coastal derby in Cape Town.
The 32-year-old hooker made his debut for the Stormers back in 2011 as part of a golden generation of youngsters, which included Siya Kolisi, Steven Kitshoff, Frans Malherbe and Eben Etzebeth.
“It’s very special. You just play, play and play and all of a sudden you get told you are on 97 or 98 appearances,” Ntubeni said.
“There was a bit of emotion yesterday [Tuesday], thinking of all the tough times, all the times that you want to give up, having seven operations. I am very fortunate to be able to reach 100, to keep getting another chance. It’s taken me a while, but I’m very excited.
“Every time you walk through the HPC, you see the jerseys of all the guys who have got 100 caps. I played with a lot of them: Andries [Bekker], Schalk [Burger] and Jean [de Villiers], Brok [Harris] and Peter Grant.
“To get 100 is quite special, but the most important thing is that you perform on the field, so it doesn’t end there.”
While the former KES student represented the Lions at youth level, Ntubeni has been a one-union man since he joined the Western Province academy out of school.
That in itself makes Ntubeni’s career something fairly unique these days, as players are more open than ever to shifting between the local franchises, or taking up big-money opportunities overseas.
“I actually ask myself that sometimes as well. I don’t know,” Ntubeni answered with a chuckle. “The union has been quite generous to me as well. They have not only looked after me, but lots of other players, from day one.
“If I were ever to leave Cape Town, I wouldn’t stay in South Africa. I’ve never had that opportunity, maybe I did years ago, but at the moment I am quite happy on and off the field with what the Stormers have done for me.
“If I keep getting opportunities, if I’m still needed or getting selected, then I will still be motivated. You do sometimes go through dips during your career, but then you think about that this is where you wanted to be 10 years ago and now you are here. So I am grateful.”
Saturday’s match against the Sharks will give Ntubeni the opportunity to face close friend Etzebeth as an opponent for the first time in his career.
Etzebeth left the Stormers in 2019 to move to France, but has been a key cog for the Sharks since moving to Durban in 2022.
“I don’t think he will have a point to prove. Knowing Eben, he’s just so fired up for every game, whether he’s playing on the C-field or at Cape Town Stadium. He is very competitive,” Ntubeni said.
“Even though he doesn’t have a point to prove, the Sharks will be asking him a few questions about us, since he spent six or seven years with us. They will definitely be looking to use his history with me, Neethling, and the guys he played with while he was here.
“It’s going to be weird, because I’ve never played against him. It’s going to be challenging, but we are looking forward to the fight on Saturday.”
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