Once tagged ‘Lomu’ after the All Black great, Sharks’ young gun Sibusiso Nkosi prepares to light up Hong Kong’s Natixis Cup
The 22-year-old craves a Springbok cap and hopes to kick-start a big season against Racing 92 at Aberdeen on Saturday
He earned the nickname “Lomu” in school for his confrontational play but up-and-coming South African rugby star Sibusiso Nkosi hopes to break into the Springboks team on the back of his own style.
Not that being named after All Black great Jonah Lomu is not an honour for the 22-year-old, but he is confident he can reach the top level being his own man.
“Not because of any resemblance, only because of the way I used to play – I used to enjoy carrying ball in hand and I used to enjoy the contact situations very much and that’s why my peers called me Lomu,” Nkosi said in Hong Kong on Tuesday.
“I think the [modern] game demands a bit of a quicker, more mobile wing these days so I’m doing my best to try to be that athlete and be skilful in terms of ball handling and connecting with the rest of the team.”
After being called into the Springboks squad during last year’s Rugby Championship but not cracking the 23, Nkosi hopes to kick-start a big season when his Cell C Sharks take on French Top 14 side Racing 92 in this Saturday’s Natixis Cup at Aberdeen.
