Local Lions first on the menu for Notshe
WHILE there is growing interest in July’s tour by the British & Irish Lions, Sharks No 8 Sikhumbuzo Notshe wisely says that the best way for him to book a ticket to the party is to concentrate on what is in front of him each week in the Rainbow Cup SA.
And this week it is another brand of Lions, the Johannesburg variety, who are in Notshe’s sights.
“It would be a huge honour for any player to be in action against the British and Irish Lions but to be honest with you, I am more worried about the Golden Lions right now, rather than something in the future, because if I don’t play well on Saturday against the local Lions (Jonsson Kings Park, kick-off 4pm), nothing will guarantee me playing against the touring ones,” Notshe said.
“But I won’t bulldust you that the Lions tour is something we are not looking forward to because it doesn’t come around often. I was 16 when they were here in 2009 so if I miss it now I will never play against them.”
Notshe admitted that the Lions tour is in the back of the minds of every South African player.
“Everybody wants to be involved in the Lions tour,” the former Springbok No 8 said.
“We have had alignment camps (with Bok coach Jacques Nienaber) and things were put out there about what is expected of us as rugby players.
“Everybody wants to play. It only comes around every 12 years so that makes it a generational thing. If you miss it you miss out, and not a lot of players still playing have had the experience.”
The 27-year-old Notshe played six Tests for the Boks in 2018 but missed out on World Cup selection in 2019, and with no international rugby played in 2020, he would dearly love to make a Springbok comeback in this special year for South African players.
But, as he says, his focus for now has to be on playing well for his team on Saturday.
“The Lions are different to the Stormers but they are also a physical team and we have to respect them,” Notshe said.
“It is maybe a bonus that their general (Elton Jantjies) is on loan (to French club Pau), that gives us a bit of an edge but we do respect Fred Zeilinga, who did not do too badly against the Bulls last week and controlled them across the park.”
The Lions lost to the Bulls but impressed with their attacking intent, and the Sharks are expecting more of the same.
“Both sides will try and lift the tempo and play a high pace game,” Notshe said.
“We will match them if they take us there, and they will match us if we set the pace.”