The Stormers' loose forward wants to make the most of the opportunities he is getting in the starting team after two strong showings at the start of the United Rugby Championship (URC) season.
In the absence of the injured World Cup winner Deon Fourie, Theunissen has owned the No 6 jersey and will look for another workhorse-like performance when the inaugural URC champions take on Edinburgh on Saturday in Scotland in a tour-defining clash.
Loose forward Marcel Theunissen has made an impressive start to the @Vodacom #URC season on tour in Europe and is determined to continue raising his game. #iamastormer #dhldelivershttps://t.co/SL9ftAuf4e
— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) October 8, 2024
It's their last match away from home and the Cape side is looking to complete a consecutive win after a forwards-inspired game saw them beat Zebre Parma 36-5 last weekend in Italy. Should they come out on the right side of the result, it would mean a successful tour with two wins they aimed for.
The 25-year-old Theunissen has virtually donned every loose forward jersey for the team, but openside flanker has been the role in which he's been thriving.
“To be honest, at the moment I’m developing in the number 6 role. I am learning every single week,” he said this week.
“Going forward, I will slot in where the coaches need me, but at the moment I'm focusing on six because they are playing me there.”
“I feel that I’m getting better and using the opportunities when I get them. Going forward, I will slot in where the coaches need me, but at the moment I'm focusing on six because they are playing me there.
“I'll do my best to just keep working on those things they want me to. It's about evolving and getting better weekly.
“I’ve gotten two starts and feeling quite good and ready for the season ahead.”
According to Theunissen, the performance against Zebre gave them some much-needed confidence which they will take into the game at the Hive Stadium against the winless Edinburgh.
But they know they'll be up against some world-class forwards, especially the Edinburgh loose trio, on Saturday, and they are wary of the threat they pose, alongside their attacking backs.
“I will do my best to try to show them how it’s done.”
“It’s a very nice opportunity for me to be playing against international players just to measure myself and see where I am against them. I’m looking forward to it and will always try to take the opportunity if it's given (to me). I will do my best to try to show them how it’s done.
“As a loose trio, I think we have the ability (to disrupt the attack) and the coaches need us to slow the ball down, just to give us three to five seconds to set our defensive line and get the line speed. It will definitely help against an Edinburgh team that likes to attack and feed off quick ball possession.”