Sanele Nohamba has the makings of a Springbok star, provided he puts in the work while reviving his career with the Lions.

So says former Griquas coach Scott Mathie, who first worked with him as a schoolboy, as director of rugby at Durban High.

Nohamba, who was in the enlarged Bok squad for the series against Georgia and the British & Irish Lions in 2021, recently joined the Lions after falling down the pecking order at the Sharks. 

The 23-year-old faces a challenge trying to earn a place in the Lions match-day squads, with Morne van den Berg, Andre Warner and Nico Steyn all in Joburg.

An ex-Sharks, Vodacom Bulls and EP Kings No 9, Mathie has backed Nohamba, who could make his Lions debut in the Currie Cup against the Cheetahs on Friday, for higher honours.

“He was one step away from playing for the Springboks. It was a year ago when he played for SA A,” Mathie told Netwerk24.

“So he showed that he has the ability. He possesses all the qualities, from the basic aspects to his ability with the ball in hand and he is definitely Springbok material.

“For him, it is just a matter of practising his ‘trade’ and working hard on the basic aspects of his game. That together with match time leaves me with little doubt that he will be able to return to where he was a year ago.

“He likes rugby and is someone who likes to practise,” Mathie added. “I think that’s what makes him so special, his approach to the game and the energy he brings to the training ground and also to matches.

“I think any scrumhalf should constantly make work of it to focus on the basic aspects. [Nohamba] is good, but he has to keep practising hard so that he is consistent with it.

“The same can be said of his kicking, I think it’s just his consistency in that section of his game that needs a bit of polishing.”