Pastures new: Ntuthuko Mchunu enjoying fresh start at Stormers

After reaching 92 caps with the Durban club, Mchunu left the Sharks for pastures new. His performance earned him a Springbok jersey and now he looks to forge a new path in the iconic blue and white hoops of the Stormers.

The 26-year-old's services are valued, especially given the Stormers' injuries in the key position. Steven Kitsoff was forced to retire and Frans Malherbe is nursing a long-term injury.

Mnchunu earned his first taste of Champions Cup action in the Stormers' tense 26-17 Champions Cup victory over Bayonne on Friday.

"I think from the moment I came on, everyone was very welcoming, and from the way we trained, from the way we just did things, connected, I really enjoyed it," he told the press.

"So I think that's why it was a bit frustrating when I couldn't be part of it from the start. But I think that gave me more appreciation of what we've got here, and I just want to plough back what I've put in and what I've learned so far."

But it's out of the frying pan and into the fire for Mnchunu and the Stormers, as they face two-time Champions Cup winner La Rochelle in Gqeberha on Saturday. Mchunu is preparing for a possible scrum battle with world-class tightheads Uini Atonio and Joel Sclavi.

"La Rochelle are a quality outfit," he continued.

"I watched their game [a 39-20 win against the Leicester Tigers] on Sunday - their DNA at scrum time is similar to ours.

"Any South African front row prides itself on the scrum, and this will be a big set-piece battle. I'm excited to test myself against some of Europe's best."