Springbok Pieter-Steph du Toit has excelled at flank since moving from lock for the national team.
But while he has been making waves and winning Man of the Match awards regularly in the Rugby Championship, a mini Pieter-Steph started to emerge during Western Province’s unbeaten Currie Cup run.
His name is Ernst van Rhyn.
Having captained the Junior Boks at last year’s Junior World Cup from the side of the scrum, this is Van Rhyn’s first term in the senior WP squad.
And coach John Dobson has made full use of him - both at lock and on the flank.
It’s not yet clear where Van Rhyn will pack down when Province travel to Loftus to fight the Blue Bulls for at least one log point that will see them end regular season in top spot.
But it’s also not like the 21-year-old cares about the number on his back.
He just wants to play.
Van Rhyn explains: “I am still young and trying to learn as much as I can from both positions. In the modern rugby, the No.4 lock and the blindside flanker’s roles are more or less the same. Just to get some time on the field and learning as much as I can is the aim for now.”
Van Rhyn says he hasn’t had the opportunity to pick Du Toit’s brains yet, but adds: “It’s definitely something I will look at.
“He is a guy that can give a lot of insight into playing both positions.”
A hard-working forward that puts his body on the line just like Du Toit, Van Rhyn says it will be a big moment in his career if he gets to play against the Bulls on Saturday.
He says: “It’s my first season in the senior team and it will be a great honour to play in that game.
“I enjoyed watching the north-south derby from a young age and playing in it will be special.
“The Bulls will be well prepared and I’m looking forward to the match.”
dudley.carstens@inl.co.za