Nyakane is Boks' biggest 'loser'
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Springbok prop Trevor Nyakane has been given the nickname 'biggest loser' by his teammates after losing 12 kilograms since June.
The big loosehead prop has had his disciplinary issues in the past, having been dropped from the Bok squad last year for repeatedly breaching team protocol, but since being given a second chance by coach Heyneke Meyer in June he has worked hard to get into what he says is the best shape of his life.
Nyakane explained that he has worked closely with Springbok conditioning coach Basil Carzis over the last few months with changes to his diet and training schedule making the difference.
"When I was called in as an extra for the June Tests he [Meyer] gave me a few points and told me that there are a few things to improve on.
"One of those was my weight and fitness, I am happy to say that I have lost 12 kgs since that time and my fitness has improved as well thanks to coach Basil [Carzis] for putting in extra with me.
"I have never been in better shape so it is great and I am privileged to be called back to work with people like Beast [Mtawarira], Jannie [Du Plessis] and Gurthro [Steenkamp] who are fairly experienced and have taken me under their wing.
"I got a second bite at the cherry so I am grateful to the coaches for believing in me and now it is up to me to grab it with both hands and work harder," he said.
The man currently keeping Nyakane out of the starting line-up is Mtawarira who has been impressed with the way his understudy has managed to turn things around in such a short space of time.
"The guys have been teasing him and calling him the biggest loser, but it is really commendable and shows his character. He has worked hard and he is looking lean and mean and really playing well.
"I am really happy for him, we just need to help each other get better, he is my partner so it is good to have him playing well and enjoying his rugby," Mtawarira told rugby365.
The burly Cheetahs prop says that slimming down from 129kg to 117kg has given him a new lease on life as he looks to force his way into the Springbok starting line-up.
"That extra 12 kgs was basically just a lot of fat that made me tired all the time, so losing it was the greatest thing for me and now that I am back in shape I can do what I am well-known for.
"It is like if they had to take me and put me on the field with an extra 12kgs around my neck. It makes it difficult and it is unnecessary weight that I don't really need.
"Right now I feel more mobile, it is easier for me to run, my endurance is better and I can scrum and get up there to be in the right places at the right times. So I definitely don't miss that weight at all it was just something wearing me down.
"It worked out perfectly, I am happier as a person outside of rugby and on the field I feel great and I feel like I can offer more than I used to," he said.
Nyakane was part of the final scrum in Wellington a few weeks ago, which saw the Boks shove the All Blacks off their own ball, and he says the way the scrum has improved as a unit this season has been encouraging.
"We worked hard on the scrummaging with coach Pieter de Villiers who made a few changes here and there and went back to basics.
"Now it is getting better and better as we go forward and we are trying to build on that week-in and week-out. At this point in time we are happy with it but there is always room for improvement," he said.
By Michael de Vries
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