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- Sanele Nohamba said Saturday’s Super Rugby open clash with the Bulls would not necessarily hinge on the media battle.
- The Sharks travel to Loftus this weekend, the scene of their 49-28 Super Fan Saturday massacre.
- Nohamba faces the possibility of an ordeal against two Bok-crowned midfielders, Embrose Papier and Ivan van Zyl.
Sharks hot topic Sanele Nohamba said Saturday’s Super Rugby unlocked clash with the Bulls wouldn’t necessarily hinge on the midfield battle.
Nohamba has maintained the form that brought him to prominence across the country since his big Currie Cup season last year and in the Super Rugby season that ended due to the Covid-19 pandemic in March.
He impressed again as part of the Springbok Showdown this month before putting on a clean performance for the Sharks in their first Super Rugby Unlocked outing against the Lions a fortnight ago.
But when the weekend rolls around, he’ll face either Embrose Papier or Ivan van Zyl, both in Springbok hats – a badge Nohamba hasn’t worn yet, though it seems only a matter of time.
The Bulls midfielder pair has also been bolstered by the inclusion of former mastermind Bok Fourie du Preez, who is a No. 9 Einstein, in the Bulls’ training consultants.
“They are both good scrum-halfs and have a good kicking game,” Nohamba said.
“But I think it will be a team effort and it will not be one-on-one battles. We just have to handle those kicks and everything they bring to the table and play from there.
“The last time we were there, our kicking game wasn’t that sharp. If we fix that, we’ll take away that counter-attack option and their quick outside backs.
“I have perfected what I have to do for the team and I have not changed anything on my side.
“The things we can do better is our approach to collapse and our mindset.
“Those were the two things we learned from that warm-up game and we fixed it during the week, so we’re good to go.”
The Sharks had a break last weekend, which Nohamba said was good for the players, who are still adjusting to the return to competitive play after five months indoors during the lockdown.
“The bye week was obviously good for the body, for the guys to get some rest, reset and shoot again for the next game,” Nohamba said.
“The Bulls are doing pretty well. They are a physical side, that’s what is expected this weekend. We just have to match his physique and then I think we have a good chance of winning.
“We have had a change in mentality. Three weeks ago we did not do very well, but a change in mentality will allow us to do what we do best, which is to play our kind of rugby.
And what did the 21-year-old do with his inclusion in the Springbok Showdown and rubbing shoulders with the country’s elite rugby players?
“It was a great experience being in the Springbok mix,” he said.
“I learned a lot that week and I have brought those things here. It’s great that all internationals play in the national tournaments after the Springboks decided not to play the Rugby Championship.
“That means you can measure yourself against the best in the country. For guys like us (young players) it’s better to play against that caliber of players. “
