Schickerling expected to add to Springboks’ bulging lock stocks

JD Schickerling is no longer “that guy that broke his neck but made a brilliant comeback”.

That label disappeared in a breakthrough Currie Cup campaign last year.

Now, the 22-year-old Stormers lock is expected to raise his game to such an extent in this year’s Super Rugby edition that he might come into Springbok contention this year.

It’s not an outrageous thought.

The towering youngster from Calvinia certainly seems to have the pedigree.

He was a Junior Springbok in 2014 and was held in such high regard that he made the South Africa ‘A’ side in a series against their English counterparts in 2016.

But it was his fine domestic form last season that made people sit up and take notice.

With Bok enforcer Eben Etzebeth still sidelined until at least the middle of the year, Schickerling has pretty much known since early December that he’ll probably have a far bigger role to play in the Stormers’ campaign.

Yet Pieter-Steph du Toit’s struggle to recover from a back niggle before Saturday’s opening battle against the Jaguares at Newlands has also elevated him to senior status – at least until Du Toit returns.

To help him prepare for that task, Schickerling has made sure he’s a sponge around the missing Bok locks.

“I have such a great opportunity playing with Eben and Pieter-Steph, they boost me,” he said.

“We’ve got good depth in our team and the competition is always a good thing. The Currie Cup was a good platform for me to boost me for this year.”

He’s equally comfortable to play in the No 4 or 5 jersey but it’s probably in the more “physical” role as 4 where he’ll find his bread buttered.

“It depends where the team needs me, I don’t mind playing four or five, as long as I can be of benefit to the team. I played at four a bit in the Currie Cup, so it’s not that big an adjustment for me,” said Schickerling.

“Eben being out is a bad thing for us, he plays a key role, but if I do get an opportunity I will definitely use it.”

Being in the inside lane for a starting role doesn’t mean that Schickerling can be complacent.

19-year-old Salmaan Moerat, a South African Schools captain, is knocking hard on the door.

“I’ve dealt with him (Moerat) a lot – he’s such a great player coming through. We’ve got great depth in the lock position, and he’s someone to look out for,” said Schickerling.

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