Stormers starlet Suleiman Hartzenberg buzzing ahead of Bulls clash

Stormers utility back Suleiman Hartzenberg is looking forward to the opportunity of taking on the Bulls in Saturday's highly anticipated United Rugby Championship derby in Pretoria.

The 19-year-old had his first taste of South Africa's famous north v south derby in the corresponding fixture in Cape Town last December and enjoyed the experience as he crossed for a well-taken try in his team's 37-27 victory.

Matches between the Stormers and Bulls are usually big occasions and Hartzenberg is looking forward to the challenge against their arch rivals at their Loftus Versfeld headquarters.

"The level of excitement is completely different because of the preparation during the week, the crowd is also a major factor because there is a different type of atmosphere at the stadium for a game like this," he told the Stormers' official website. "The fixture against the Vodacom Bulls has a lot of history behind it."

Hartzenberg is just 19 years old and is eager to continue his growth and education as a rugby player, after bursting onto the scene at the start of this season.

Less than a year after completing his high school career in 2021, he made his debut for the Stormers in their victory over Connacht in their United Rugby Championship (URC) season opener in Stellenbosch last September - something which he still can't believe.

"It was a surreal feeling as I could not believe I was making my DHL Stormers debut because I know the history behind the jersey," said Hartzenberg. "It meant so much because just a few months prior I made my Ikeys (University of Cape Town) debut and before that I was playing high school rugby.

"I felt that it was an absolute blessing because I know not everyone gets the opportunity so early in their career. It is certainly a memory I will never forget. There was definitely nerves leading up to the game in the week but quite a few of the players helped to settle my nerves."

The teenager, who is comfortable on the wing and at outside centre, has hit the ground running in the URC as he has already scored four tries in 10 appearances for the tournament's defending champions.

He admits that coming into a winning environment has provided some challenges but said the senior Stormers players and coaches have provided much needed assistance which has helped him to settle in quickly.

"I wouldn't say that it is easy, but the environment that the coaches and the players created made it easier for me to adapt to," he explained. "With the Stormers being the URC champions and ending on such a high last season, that pressure came by itself.

"Personally, you naturally add pressure on yourself too but what really helped calm me was players like Salmaan, Ruhan, Seabelo, Leolin, Adré, Junior and the coaches. It gave me great confidence that both the coaches and players believe in me; which made me feel like I wasn't just there to fill in a gap."

His impressive form saw him winning a call up to the South Africa ˜A' side for their tour to Ireland and the UK where he started on the wing in both matches against Munster and Bristol Bears.

Despite losing both those matches, there was still plenty for him to take away from the tour.

"My initial reaction to the news of making the team is something that I cannot describe," he said. "I don't think there is a specific word that can explain it.

"Being amongst so many experienced and talented players and coaches definitely made me look at the game differently. I've learnt that the smallest decisions can change a result.

"Unfortunately the results did not go our way but reflecting back on it now, I actually walked away with more knowledge about the game than I came in with. Being in the room with coaches and players from other unions allowed me to learn from them which helped improve my game."