Gary Porter enjoyed a fantastic debut for the DHL Stormers and the hardy lock will again call the lineout against Dragons on Saturday. DYLAN JACK reports.

Porter, who joined the Stormers from English Championship side Ealing Trailfinders in August, finally made his debut in the bonus-point victory over Scarlets in Cape Town.

The 26-year-old was called on as a lineout commander in the absence of Marvin Orie, who was on duty for the Springboks at Twickenham. Porter relished the occasion, combining effectively with hooker Joseph Dweba, to ensure the Stormers won the majority of their lineouts in the first half.

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With Orie set to be rested after a heavy workload for the Boks, Porter could get another opportunity to start when the Stormers take on Dragons at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday.

“It was quite pleasing to see him get a chance,” said forwards coach Rito Hlungwani. “I met Gary for the first time in 2015 as a 19-year-old from Durban. I just remember he was such a skinny guy.

“He has had to fight all through his career. He didn’t play for SA Schools and when he arrived he was vying against promising locks. He always had to fight for his position. But this means he has a hard edge built out of resilience.

“Gary gained more experience at UCT while finishing his degree and then moved to England. We thought it was the right time to have him back. He is a Western Province boy who has come through the system. It was a proud moment, seeing him play on Saturday, if I remember how he was when he was 19. I am a very proud coach.”

In just his fourth start for the Stormers, Dweba showed that he is coming to terms with the team’s structures and finding his best form.

The hooker, who was criticised for his lineout throwing for the Springboks, was near-perfect in this regard against Scarlets, while he also carried strongly to get the Stormers on the front foot.

“Joseph is one of those guys who hasn’t played a lot, even though he travelled a bit with the Springboks,” said Hlungwani. “We know we have to be patient and give him game time. With more games, he will return to his best. There are good signs of what we will see in the near future.”

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