'Scarra' relishing game time

by Athenkosi Tsotsi

                            
Siyabonga 'Scarra' Ntubeni has had to endure with a lot injuries over the years and is now relishing the opportunity of getting extended game time due to Bongi Mbonambi's absence.

Mbonambi got injured in the Stormers first game of the season against the Hurricanes and is set to be out for a period of 5 weeks. Ntubeni who played 70 minutes against the Bulls, also won man of the match, is keen on stepping up for his team and taking over from his friend Bongi.

"Obviously its puts, I would not say pressure but ownership from my side (on Mbonambi being out). Usually I have Bongi to bounce ideas and push me, now it has to come from my side I can not wait for him to push me, I need to do the extra work myself and be more of a leader. It is a bit different but I'm enjoying game time, I have had a lot of game time of the bench and I think I am fine, I am behind the injuries, I am excited," said Ntubeni.

The hooker in the space period from 2016 - 2019 sustained two major injuries, he is hoping to stay fit after overcoming that tough phase in his career.

"It was a tough time for me, a year or two before that I was feeling really in good conditions, I was playing the best rugby of my life. Then the niggles slowly started coming in and then the achiles in 2016, that obviously broke my momentum, in the second game when returning I tore my hamstring, what Bongi has done now. Hopefully I can stay injury free and build," continued the Springbok.

The Stormers face the Lions at Ellis Park on Saturday another South African derby in as many weeks, Ntubeni is anticipating a tough challenge from the side from the highveld. The side from Cape Town has not won a Super Rugby game in Johannesburg since 2015.

"For us there is no mental block but it is a big motivating factor. In training we said we are going to do everything this week to win at Ellis Park, whether its not having that beer on a Tuesday or sleeping an extra, we said this is our game.

Beginning of the season we said we want to win at home but if we want to make the playoffs we have to win away, so this is a game we have targeted for two weeks now, we want to go to Ellis Park and win," concluded Ntubeni.