Bulls Currie Cup head coach Phiwe Nomlomo says Sebastian de Klerk’s rise into Springbok contention is no accident, but the result of a player who refuses to leave anything to chance.
De Klerk, one of the most consistent performers for the Bulls across the URC and Currie Cup over the past two seasons, has been rewarded with a place on the Springboks’ standby list for their end-of-year tour.
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Nomlomo revealed to News24 that the winger’s approach to his development is what sets him apart.
“He’s very astute in his planning for his career, so it’s not by mistake that he finds himself where he does,” said Nomlomo.
“Sebastian works hard on his game – there is nothing he leaves to chance.”
The Bulls coach recalled how De Klerk took the initiative to expand his skillset through the team’s specialised skills hub.
“Sebastian came to us and said he wanted all the skills he needed in the back three,” Nomlomo explained.
“He wrote about five things down and after three weeks he said: ‘Coach, I’m happy with these things – now I want to be able to play centre, give me the skills to play 13.’
“Whether we played him at 13 or not didn’t matter, he wanted those skills and he worked at them. He worked on the back-three skills; the patterns, the kicking, catching, positioning, contest in the air, chasing long kicks … he’d be comfortable playing at 15.
“But he’s got this thing; he’s always wanted to play 13, so he says the more he can add to his arsenal, the better a player he will become – and he’s right.”
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De Klerk’s relentless attitude and willingness to evolve have made him one of South African rugby’s most rounded outside backs, and his Bok standby call is proof that the national selectors have taken notice.
Photo: Ramsey Cardy/Sportsfile via Getty Images
The post Nomlomo hails De Klerk’s meticulous climb to Bok contention appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Bulls Currie Cup head coach Phiwe Nomlomo says Sebastian de Klerk’s rise into Springbok contention is no accident, but the result of a player who refuses to leave anything to chance.
The post Nomlomo hails De Klerk’s meticulous climb to Bok contention appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
