Nohamba: I can’t have a big head now

Sanele Nohamba is grateful to be a part of the Springbok mix again, but the playmaker insists that helping the Lions win matches is what could earn him a first Test cap.

He attended the first Bok alignment camp of the year this week after his superb form in the Vodacom URC and Challenge Cup. The 25-year-old was previously in the Bok setup in 2021.

Nohamba has played most of his career at scrumhalf but has successfully converted to flyhalf at the Lions since last season, and Rassie Erasmus is reportedly considering the former Junior Springbok as an alternative at No 10 for the season-opening Test against Wales on 22 June.

Speaking on the Behind the Ruck podcast with former Boks Rudy Paige and Juan de Jongh, Nohamba reflected on his time with the national team while emphasising that the “hard work” has only begun.

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“I was speaking to my dad a couple of weeks ago and he was proud, but then I looked at it from a different perspective to say the only way that got me there is playing well here [for the Lions],” he said.

“It’s just alignment camps for the moment so you still have to come back and perform again, so that’s what I was having a chat to my dad about.

“He [kept] saying he’s proud of me and I was like ‘thank you but I still need to go to the alignment camp’ – I can’t have a big head now. I have to come back again and work hard at the Lions, play good rugby and then it gives me a shot again to get an opportunity.

“How I look at it is if you play well for your union and help them win games, especially big games, then you put your best foot forward for selection at the highest level.”