Theunissen keeps rising to the challenge

DHL Stormers loose forward Marcel Theunissen took one of the biggest challenges to come his way and has used it to become even better on and off the field.

It was at the end of last season’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship that Marcel Theunissen felt like something wasn’t quite right with him physically. What has happened since and the impressive rugby he continues to play tells you everything about the DHL Stormers loose forward and what is still to come from him.

At the end of last season, Theunissen felt sluggish, was losing weight, and had a constant thirst. He ignored it and continued to train. But it only worsened.

Type 1 Diabetes

“I went for tests and it came back that I had Type 1 diabetes,” says the 25-year-old. It was a significant moment for a player who made his debut for the Stormers during the COVID era and who has steadily been rewarded with more and more game time as he’s continued to rise to the point of now closing in on 100 appearances for his team.

But the kid who grew up in Bloemfontein as a product of the famous rugby school Grey College and who loved nothing better than the challenge of some backyard rugby with friends took on this significant health challenge with the same fight he’s shown in his career.

Just Another Challenge to Overcome

“I just decided to see it as another challenge. I’ve always been up for a challenge since I was a kid. I decided I wasn’t just going to give up on my dream now and let this diagnosis define me. I decided I’m going to become a better player because of it and show people that you can still play professional rugby with diabetes. I made the decision to become known as somebody who has overcome it rather than been defeated by it, and maybe that helps somebody else out there to do the same. I saw some stats that show it’s a lot more common than people think. And I can honestly say I’m in a better place now because of the diabetes. It made me a better person and it’s made me a much more professional rugby player in terms of my diet and how I train,” he says.

With a Man of the Match performance against the Dragons in the Stormers’ second last Vodacom United Rugby Championship league fixture before the playoffs, Theunissen is definitely overcoming this challenge at the highest level of performance.

‘He is special’

After this game, Stormers coach John Dobson said of Theunissen’s performance, “He has an incredible work rate. Lineout wise, he’s magic. He is explosive. He is special”.

“You know, I enjoyed the previous Vodacom United Rugby Championship season. But I think the more game time I’m getting the more confident I’ve become. The coaches have given me good game time and it’s given me more experience of where I can contribute to the team. This competition is so competitive, and I like that because I’m a very competitive person. You have to train exceptionally hard every single week and really give your best to compete in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship. And like any South African player, I’m also driven by the greater goal of one day hopefully being chosen for the Springboks.”

Team Strength

But Theunissen is always quick to bring his own strengths back to the collective strength of his team and fellow players.

“We’re a core group of players that have come a long way together. We get along and are really good friends. So it’s a great work environment. We play for each other and you don’t want to let your teammate down. That drives me. And I think as a team, if there is something expected of us or a challenge put to us, then we’ll fight for that. I think other teams in the competition know that about us as well.”