Opportunity knocks for Nyakane
Bok forward is fit and raring to go
IN 37 Tests for South Africa, Trevor Nyakane has started just twice such has been the shadow Tendai Mtawarira has cast over him, and now he also has the imposing figure of Steven Kitshoff to contend with.
But with Mtawarira injured and Nyakane at last free of injury, his selection for the Springboks’ end-ofyear tour means he has a shot of nailing down the back-up spot in a position where the flame-haired Kitshoff has played his way clear of the loosehead pack.
And if the 29-year-old plays to his potential, it is not inconceivable that he could edge in front of the aging Mtawarira ahead of the World Cup.
In fact Nyakane was picked to start in the No 1 jersey for the first Test against England at Ellis Park in June, but never made it to kickoff after picking up a rib injury in training.
It was bad luck and the injury kept him out of Super Rugby for the Bulls when the competition resumed after the June internationals, and when the Rugby Championship came around he was out of the picture.
But Nyakane made it difficult for Rassie Erasmus to ignore him when he hit form for the Bulls in the Currie Cup. His performance at Newlands in the semi-final against the exceptional Wilco Louw was eyebrow-raising. Apart from showing his scrumming prowess against a top tighthead, the roly poly Nyakane reminded us what a brilliant ball carrier and handler he can be, as well as his invaluable penchant for ball stealing.
Kitshoff is the only specialist loosehead on tour which means coach Erasmus will choose either Nyakane or Thomas du Toit to cover both tighthead and loosehead from the bench.
But with South Africa overflowing with quality tightheads, it is at loosehead that opportunity knocks for Nyakane, who has not had a fair shake with the Boks over the years since his debut in 2013 as a 24-yearold.
“We will be tested at loosehead,” Erasmus said after naming his squad at the weekend.
“Some say it will go against us and others say it will go for us, but having the luxury of Trevor and Thomas being able to play loosehead and tighthead is a benefit for us.
“I think Kitshy (Kitshoff) has laid down the marker as our No 1, so having guys on the bench who can swing (between tighthead and loosehead) is a great thing in many ways.”
One thing in Nyakane’s favour is that he is fit and raring to go having played little rugby this season. At the beginning of Super Rugby, Bulls coach John Mitchell was unhappy with Nyakane’s conditioning and sent him to the gym for a month to get fit. That he did, and then when he was out with a rib problem he worked hard on his fitness.
Where others may be weary after a long year of rugby, Nyakane is in the opposite position.
Erasmus added that it is vital for him to get the front-row balance right, given the heavy focus on scrumming by match officials in Europe.
“I am a bit nervous because we’re playing in the northern hemisphere where scrum penalties get rewarded if one team is dominant,” Erasmus said.
“I think we’ll learn our lessons and, in my heart, I feel that we’re okay. I think we’ve got great depth at prop.”