VIDEO: Nohamba gets second bite at Bok cherry
SPOTLIGHT: Dynamic Lions utility back Sanele Nohamba is not about to waste another opportunity to impress the Springbok selectors.
Nohamba has been electric for the Lions this year, especially after moving from scrumhalf to flyhalf – catching the eyes of the Springbok selectors as a utility option.
He is one of five Lions players who have been invited to the Springbok alignment camp in Cape Town on March 4.
He now has an opportunity once again to impress Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus, after he was named in the 46-man squad for the British and Irish Lions Tour in 2021.
While he didn’t make his Springboks debut during that campaign, he did feature for the South African A side – gaining valuable experience at ‘international’.
In May 2022, Nohamba made the move from the Sharks to the Lions.
Speaking to the media at the Lions’ training session at Florida Hoërskool this week, Nohamba smiled from ear to ear.
“It is a huge honour to be back in the Springbok squad again,” he beamed.
“I am looking forward to the alignment camp, to see what they can offer there and see where I stand with the Springbok coaches. Just excited really,” he added.
Asked what he hopes to gain from the Springbok camp, Nohamba was clear on his expectations.
“To learn, learn the systems.
“They play differently to how the Lions play.
“So just to try and fit in as best as possible.”
Since moving to flyhalf, the diminutive Nohamba has shown his class as a versatile player who can step and beat the best in the business.
That skill he showcased against the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld two weeks ago, when he caught the whole Bulls side off guard.
He is also a prolific goal-kicker, is alarmingly fast and always seems to smile as he goes about his business on the field.
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He credits a lot of his attacking and kicking abilities to the presence of kicking consultant Morné Steyn.
“He has been great for me.
“More than anything he has given me cues on what sort of space to look for in terms of my kicking game and not trying to change how I do things, but more just giving me an insight into what to look for.
“And especially about where the kick spaces are.
“Credit goes to our coaching staff and the players around me.
“They give me the freedom to play how I want to play and express myself. \
“So I think I’ve been doing that, and doing that around guys that back me, makes things easier,” he explained.
Nohamba touched on the reasons for making the move to Johannesburg, revealing that he didn’t enjoy his time at the Sharks anymore.
“The last couple of months at the Sharks I didn’t play as much.
“The more you enjoy it, the better you play. Just to enjoy it, that’s the best thing for me.”
He is loving his time with the Lions and has embraced his new home, which shows in his performance on the field week in and week out.
“I’m still looking to improve, I am still working on my game.
“The big focus point for me is to play good for the Lions.
“Playing well here gives me a chance to get inclusion with the Springboks, whenever that chance comes.
“If I keep on improving and putting in good performances here I think I will put my best foot forward to be up for selection.”
@rugby365com
