World Cup within sight as Bulls' 'Eskom' shoots lights out: 'I'm back where I should be'

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi is no doubt the pace horse when it comes to SA’s loose-forwards but Bulls fetcher Marco van Staden has this season made a consistent case to fill the "Flo role" that Francois Louw vacated at the end of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.

Kolisi’s brilliant performances have only slightly been edged by his best mate, Sharks teammate and Bok lock Eben Etzebeth, who shaded the SA Rugby Player of the Year contest to claim the honours last year.

But Van Staden, who suffered an eight-month hiatus from rugby following his Leicester Tigers exit, returned with such force that he put himself in immediate Bok contention in 2022.

READ | Stick, Kolisi explain why Rassie is keen to appoint referee coach for Boks

With the players heading into the final lap before the Springbok squad for the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France later this year is announced, it would be no surprise to see "Eskom" (Van Staden’s moniker) name in the team.

"I feel like I’ve gotten back to where I should be," said Van Staden about his game.

"There’s still a lot of work to be done. I think there are still parts of my game that I can work on and improve some things.

"But I’m just glad and happy to be playing again. I’m enjoying rugby and I think if you enjoy the game, it makes you play well.

"And that’s my main goal, to enjoy every game and opportunity that I get. Whatever happens from there, I’m happy with."

The Bulls face the Lions at Loftus in the United Rugby Championship (URC) at 16:45 on Saturday, looking to erase the narrow loss to the Stormers at home last weekend.

Jake White’s men lost a tense exchange that they could have wrestled away if they had taken their chances late in the game, but John Dobson’s charges held on for a 23-19 win that