AUDIO: Ruhan is a 'special' kind of player
The BlitzBok star's versatility has been integral to Province's cause this season, especially in the midfield where his decision-making, power and speed has been a valuable asset.
With EW Viljoen out injured for this weekend's Currie Final against the Sharks in Durban, Nel is almost certain to join Huw Jones in Province's midfield after he started on the wing in the semifinal win over the Golden Lions.
"I definitely think he [Nel] took his chances," said Snyman.
"We worked with Ruhan in the National Provincial Challenge – he played a few games there, but unfortunately he got injured so he missed the semifinal and the Final.
"You already saw that there was something special in him as a person – how he is in training, how he is on and off the field with the energy he brings and I thought he used his chances.
"That is why we selected him last week on the wing [against the Lions] because we felt he is one of the players that has to be on the field.
"When EW got injured and he moved to centre I thought he showed what he can do. That is what we saw from the start and what he is delivering at the moment correlates in terms of his personality, his work ethic and what he brings to the team."
Snyman said Nel is an example of how Sevens rugby can help develop a player's skills on the rugby field.
"I think that helps all the players coming out of the [Sevens] system. They have to cover a lot of space as individuals, so it doesn't matter which position you are in.
"[In Sevens] You going to find yourself either in close or in a wider scenario – you can see those guys are so much comfortable in wider space and reading space and reading defenders.
"Their one-on-one ability in terms of defending and attacking is phenomenal and that comes from the Sevens background," Snyman added.
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