Lions Coach Feels Nohamba Loss
Emirates Lions coach Ivan van Rooyen acknowledges the significant loss of Sanele Nohamba, particularly given his outstanding contributions last season.
Nohamba’s exceptional form was recognized when he was named the Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) Player of the Season last term, a testament to his stellar performances at both scrumhalf and flyhalf for the Johannesburg-based team.
The 26-year-old Nohamba followed in the footsteps of DHL Stormers duo Evan Roos and Manie Libbok, who won the award in the first two seasons of the URC.
Nohamba, who progressed through SA Rugby’s Elite Player Development pipeline and represented SA Schools and Junior Springbok sides, started 17 of the Lions’ 18 games in the 2023/24 season, playing both scrumhalf and flyhalf.
He scored two tries, converted 32 kicks, added 14 penalty goals, and kicked a drop goal, accumulating 119 points, placing him fourth overall in the league phase of the competition.
However, at the beginning of this season, Nohamba, who also played for the Hollywoodbets Sharks, was transferred to Shizuoka Blue Revs in Japan, leaving a notable gap in the Lions’ halfback position.
“Firstly, losing that quality it is not ideal,” said van Rooyen.
“Unfortunately, that is how it worked out and we parted ways in a healthy manner, nothing personal or otherwise.
“But he is a great human being. Hopefully, in Japan, he has a blessed career.”
Meanwhile, the Lions, following their loss to the Sharks nearly two weeks ago, departed for Cardiff on Tuesday night. They are aiming to bolster their hopes of a top-eight finish with a win against Cardiff this weekend, which would also build confidence ahead of their clash with defending URC champions Glasgow Warriors next week.
The touring squad has been strengthened by the return of Ruan Horn and Marius Venter. Horn missed the last two games, while Venter was sidelined due to concussion protocol.
Also joining the tour are midfield star Henco van Wyk, fresh from the Springbok alignment camp, and JC Pretorius, the URC’s top poacher, who has recovered from a hamstring injury.
However, the Lions will be without Springbok scrumhalf Morne van den Berg, who injured his finger in the narrow loss to the Sharks in Durban and will miss the tour.
Youngster Layton Horn will make his tour debut, filling van den Berg’s spot, while Kade Wolhuter returns as flyhalf cover.
The Lions’ tour will last three weeks, culminating in an EPCR Challenge Cup Round of 16 fixture against Edinburgh.
“We have Cardiff away, Glasgow away, and Edinburgh in the EPCR match away, and we hope to achieve positive results,” said van Rooyen. “Depending on the outcome, we could face a team from France or the Bulls, I believe, and then we have four home games. The first part of the tour, with two URC games, will be very challenging for us.”
