Notshe is going 'Lion hunting' ... twice
SPOTLIGHT: The battle for places in the Springbok team to face the British and Irish Lions is going to have a knock-on effect in the Rainbow Cup.
Sharks No.8 and Springbok Sikhumbuzo Notshe admitted the ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ opportunity to face the tourists is a massive driving force and motivator for him.
Notshe, who featured in six Tests in 2018, pulled no punches when asked about the B&I Lions – scheduled for an eight-match tour in July and August.
The tourists are scheduled to open their pilgrimage against the Stormers in Cape Town on July 3.
It concludes with a three-Test series – on July 24, 31 and August 7.
COVID-19 restrictions could still result in some late fixture changes.
Notshe said he is keen to also play for the Sharks against the visitors from the UK and Ireland.
However, the big prize is getting a Springbok recall.
“I am not going to lie to you, everybody wants to be in the team that face the [B&I] Lions,” Notshe told a media briefing in Durban, ahead of his team’s Round Two Rainbow Cup SA match against the Johannesburg-based Lions on Saturday.
“We have had alignment camps [with Bok coach Jacques Nienaber and Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus],” he said of last month’s planning sessions for the national team.
“Things were put out there [by Erasmus and Nienaber], which I won’t share, about what is expected of us as players.”
The loose forward said there is no doubt all the players have a burning desire to front up to the B&I Lions.
” This [tour] doesn’t come around very often,” he said, adding: “It is every 12 years, it is a generational thing.
“If you miss it, you miss.
“Some players have never had it and some player have. It is a huge honour and a privilege for us.”
Notshe, 27, missed the cut for the 2019 World Cup selection and is determined to add to his six caps.
However, there is a more immediate challenge.
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“To be honest with you, I am [more] worried about the [Johannesburg-based] Lions this weekend, rather than worry about something in the future,” the No.8 said.
“If I don’t play well on Saturday [against the local Lions at Kings Park], nothing will guarantee me playing for the Boks [against the touring Lions].
“But I won’t lie to you and say it is not something we are not looking forward to.
“The Sharks are also going to play against them, so we are also looking forward to it.
“As I mentioned, it doesn’t come around often. World Cups come around every four years.
“I remember I was 16 when they [B&I Lions] were here in 2009, so if I miss it now I will never play against them.”
Looking ahead to this coming Saturday’s encounter at Kings Park, he said the must “respect” the Johannesburg-based Lions, despite the local team’s youthful nature and rather iffy form this year.
“They showed us, in Super Rugby Unlocked, what they can do if that second half,” he said of their nailbiting 19-16 win over the Lions in Durban back in October – when the Sharks raced into an 13-0 lead, only for the Lions to draw level at 16-all with less than 10 minutes remaining.
Curwin Bosch slotted a late winner for the home side, but the Lions pushed them to the end.
“They are a quality side,” Notshe said, adding that the absence of Springbok flyhalf Elton Jantjies – on loan to French club Pau – will have an impact on the visitors’ game.
The Sharks No.8 said they are willing to “match” the Lions’ high-tempo, expansive game, but added that the game could be decided by a crucial decision in the game.
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