Shaun Goosen highlights four players that Super Rugby fans should keep an eye on throughout the 2020 season.
Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports
Sanele Nohamba (Sharks)
 |
| Nohamba is one of the most exciting prospects in South African rugby. Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports. |
The 20-year-old scrumhalf is yet another product of the conveyor belt of rugby talent that is the Eastern Cape. Nohamba was born in Alice but schooled at Durban High School and went on to represent SA Schools in 2017 and SA U20 last year.
Despite only making his Currie Cup debut off the Jonsson Kings Park bench in the Sharks’ season opener against the Griquas last July, Nohamba went on to establish himself as the side’s first-choice No 9 by the end of the campaign. While 2020 may be too soon to expect a possible national call up, he will still remain integral to the Sharks’ plans.
At just 64kg and 1.67m, size is most certainly not on his side. But, with the backing of head coach Sean Everitt, and on the basis of his past performances, expect this precocious talent to catch the eye this year.
Siya Kolisi (Stormers)
 |
| Siya Kolisi will be key for both the Stormers and the Springboks this year. Image Copyright -Steve Haag Sports. |
On the surface this may not be too interesting a pick, but just hear me out. Since the Boks’ World Cup triumph in Japan, Kolisi has reached an unprecedented level of celebrity for a Springbok captain. Lucrative sponsorship deals with the likes of Jay-Z, special meetings with Jürgen Klopp at Anfield and interviews with numerous world news organisations over the past several months have propelled Kolisi to true stardom.
Having to “come back to earth”, as it were, and refocus on the Stormers’ Super Rugby campaign will take an enormous amount of concentration and dedication from the 28-year-old. Kolisi’s form over the course of the season is going to be crucial to both club and country; especially with the British Lions tour on the horizon. Let’s hope he can use his newfound notability to continue to evolve as a player in 2020.
Lizo Gqoboka (Bulls)
 |
| Lizo Gqoboka has seen his stock rise massively over the last 12 months. Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports. |
Gqoboka was one of the Bulls’ standout players last year, putting in some massive displays on the way to an eventual quarter-final loss in Wellington. With Beast Mtawarira’s Bok career now behind him, a strong Super Rugby campaign from the 29-year-old could propel him to a place in Rassie Erasmus’ run-on side.
Having spent several months playing for Montpellier on loan during the World Cup, Gqoboka will look to use the knowledge gained from that short stint to advance his Bok ambitions and potentially take ownership of the green and gold No 1 jersey heading into the international season.
Tyrone Green (Lions)
 |
| Tyrone Green has impressed at every level and will want to kick on in 2020. Image Copyright – Steve Haag Sports. |
Green is regarded by many as the future for the Boks at No 15. Willie le Roux won’t be around forever, and the product of Jeppe Boys’ High School is only set to get better in the lead up to the British Lions series next year. Having made his Super Rugby debut last season in the Lions’ epic clash with the Rebels in March, he will look to fight with Springbok Andries Coetzee for ownership of the fullback berth at Emirates Airline Park.
A hard, direct runner and no-nonsense defender, the former SA U20 prodigy is set for a big year. With the host of experienced campaigners in Johannesburg, Green’s rugby education will only be further enhanced.
Written by Shaun Goosen for Hollywoodbets.
