Bax storming in New Zealand

FNB UCT backline star Tiger Bax has been called up to the Stormers squad and will join the side ahead of their final Super 14 match on tour – against the Highlanders in Dunedin this Friday.

Tiger – whose real name is Liam – was a star performer for the Ikey Tigers during the 2009 FNB Varsity Cup presented by Steinhoff International, playing the majority of UCT’s matches in the No.13 position.

But Bax is comfortable at fullback, wing (where he played some Vodacom Cup rugby for WP earlier this month), centre and flyhalf and he will provide much-needed cover for the Stormers who are, of course, without their talismanic skipper Jean de Villiers.

UCT head coach John Dobson, speaking to Die Burger during the Varsity Cup, had this to say about his talented utility back: “Tiger is a freak. He is a very special player. He kicks so well with both feet that he does not even know which is his stronger foot.

“He’s a gamebreaker and on top of that has a great work ethic. Robbie Fleck (UCT assistant coach) and I have been looking to convert him into a flyhalf because he attacks the line so well. He is a good distributor and runner.”

Bax, 21, was on standby for the Stormers earlier in the season – ironically for star flanker Schalk Burger – and was due to sit on the bench against the Bulls in a Round Four encounter in Pretoria.

Burger recovered from his calf muscle injury in time to take his place on the bench, but Bax could well get his chance now to make his Super 14 debut and there is arguably no tougher venue than Dunedin’s notorious ‘House of Pain’.