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Stephen Nell
Cape Town – He can still play over 100 games for Western Province and the Green and Gold may well beckon after next year’s World Cup.
That was the view offered on Brok Harris this week by Stormers forwards coach Matthew Proudfoot.
Harris, 25, showed at the weekend with his performance against Waratahs and Wallaby loosehead prop Benn Robinson why he is considered one of South Africa’s top emerging talents at tighthead prop.
“I was really pleased after that game because Robinson is an experienced player and Brock got the better of him in the one-on-one battle,” said Proudfoot.
“Brok is probably quietly confident and must be looking forward a lot to this Super 14.
“When opponents sit up and take notice, they will start making plans for you. Brok must see that as a personal challenge this year.”
Harris has played 51 games for WP and on Friday night will represent the Stormers for the 33rd time when they taken on the Brumbies at Newlands.
His good form already started in last year’s Super 14 when he made his comeback from a serious ankle injury.
Harris formed a formidable front-row combination with hooker Tiaan Liebenberg and loosehead prop Wicus Blaauw in WP’s Currie Cup campaign.
“Brok worked very hard on his conditioning and strength during his recovery period. He was in a good physical condition and came back with confidence,” said Proudfoot.
“You reach that stage in life where you decide ‘it’s my time’.”
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers is set to persevere with the likes of John Smit, BJ Botha and CJ van der Linde as his tighthead props.
However, Harris and the Cheetahs’ WP Nel have shown with their form that South Africa have some promising players bubbling under at tighthead.
“I think Brok will come into the reckoning after the World Cup. He’s somebody that can be looked at if they want to take a young prop on an end-of-year tour,” said Proudfoot.
“Brok set himself the goal of doing well in the Super 14. He wants the opportunity to show that he has grown and matured in his position.”
Harris himself believes he’s part of a Stormers unit that is functioning well.
“We are like brothers. That is the way we feel about one another. There is a camaraderie,” he says about the front-rankers in the Cape.
“The tight five here were not always a tightly-knit unit, but they are now – on and off the field.”
Cape Town – He can still play over 100 games for Western Province and the Green and Gold may well beckon after next year’s World Cup.
That was the view offered on Brok Harris this week by Stormers forwards coach Matthew Proudfoot.
Harris, 25, showed at the weekend with his performance against Waratahs and Wallaby loosehead prop Benn Robinson why he is considered one of South Africa’s top emerging talents at tighthead prop.
“I was really pleased after that game because Robinson is an experienced player and Brock got the better of him in the one-on-one battle,” said Proudfoot.
“Brok is probably quietly confident and must be looking forward a lot to this Super 14.
“When opponents sit up and take notice, they will start making plans for you. Brok must see that as a personal challenge this year.”
Harris has played 51 games for WP and on Friday night will represent the Stormers for the 33rd time when they taken on the Brumbies at Newlands.
His good form already started in last year’s Super 14 when he made his comeback from a serious ankle injury.
Harris formed a formidable front-row combination with hooker Tiaan Liebenberg and loosehead prop Wicus Blaauw in WP’s Currie Cup campaign.
“Brok worked very hard on his conditioning and strength during his recovery period. He was in a good physical condition and came back with confidence,” said Proudfoot.
“You reach that stage in life where you decide ‘it’s my time’.”
Springbok coach Peter de Villiers is set to persevere with the likes of John Smit, BJ Botha and CJ van der Linde as his tighthead props.
However, Harris and the Cheetahs’ WP Nel have shown with their form that South Africa have some promising players bubbling under at tighthead.
“I think Brok will come into the reckoning after the World Cup. He’s somebody that can be looked at if they want to take a young prop on an end-of-year tour,” said Proudfoot.
“Brok set himself the goal of doing well in the Super 14. He wants the opportunity to show that he has grown and matured in his position.”
Harris himself believes he’s part of a Stormers unit that is functioning well.
“We are like brothers. That is the way we feel about one another. There is a camaraderie,” he says about the front-rankers in the Cape.
“The tight five here were not always a tightly-knit unit, but they are now – on and off the field.”
