Flamboyant play, flashy moves and straight-out-of-the salon hair have traditionally been associated with backline players. But in recent times it seems that the men up front have also started pulling all their weight in these departments.
We see it all the time - front rowers pulling off a slick offload or a hooker trying to sprint down touch like he just took sprinting lessons with Seabelo Senatla (think Dane Coles).
But if there’s one thing associated with the front row, or with props in particular, that hasn’t changed and probably never will, it’s the important role they play in the team.
And the Stormers have two of those "important" levers in their engine room who should be eager to make this season their best.
These men are Oli Kebble and Frans Malherbe, who should be aiming to have a top season for different reasons.
The recent announcement that Kebble will be joining teammate Huw Jones with the Glasgow Warriors after the South African rugby season should have the loosehead determined to deliver with the Stormers this year.
And he can.
The 24-year-old has had to bide his time behind Steven Kitshoff over the last few years before "Rooi Gevaar" took off to France, but don’t let that second-string period fool you.
The former South Africa age-group star, who signed a two-year deal with the PRO12 side, has put in massive performances for the Stormers and Western Province and, needless to say, he’s formed a formidable partnership with Malherbe.
But apart from his scrum-time dominance, Kebble can pass, he can carry the ball superbly and when it comes to making tackles, he’s right up there.
He’s a prop who has shown great potential, and his progress at WP was often halted by injury. But his best years are still ahead of him, so Stormers fans will have a lot of reasons to miss the the front rower next season.
But Kebble has also gotten on the wrong side of the ref at times. So what can I say? When he’s good, he’s great. And when he’s bad, he at least entertains with that confused, what-did-I-do-wrong look after a penalty.
So, that should be his reason to have a standout season this year - the fact that he has one last season with the Cape franchise.
Frans Malherbe
Malherbe, on the other hand, has missed out on quite some action with a neck injury that ruled him out in the middle of last year while on duty with the Springboks.
And after spending a significant amount of time on the injury list, last year’s Stormers co-captain should be pumped to get back into the game.
He also knows his way around the field, and his physical dominance at the scrums will be especially appreciated against the Bulls at Newlands on Saturday. And that should be a good one.
These two guys are indeed very important for the Stormers outfit. They contribute in open play and they do their part at the set-pieces. They have all the qualities that make them good props.
And that, that right there, is one thing that will always be crucial to a team’s performance - the front-rankers, the men who count.