LIONS inside centre Howard Mnisi, one of the players who could affect the result at Kings Park, insists he has nothing to prove when he comes up against his old franchise, the Sharks, on Saturday.
It is surprising, considering he probably would have been on the benches on KP2 watching on as the Sharks Super Rugby squad practised, along with journalists and support staff had he stayed.
That is how little he was valued at the province he joined in 2008 at under-19 level, where he managed to go as far as the Sharks XV Vodacom Cup squad in 2011 before packing his bags.
"Not at all," Mnisi said flatly when asked if he had anything to prove against the Sharks.
"It is always exciting going back to where I was at junior level and playing against old teammates, some of whom I'm still good mates with. I'm looking forward to it."
Mnisi is not everyone's favourite kind of inside centre, especially in a country where many coaches' idea of a good No 12 is a broad-shouldered player the size of an industrial crane.
He is misunderstood in many ways. Off the field he is a bit of a loner, a man who prefers the company of his music and headphones, or a book, but you would never tell that by how much he enjoys bringing others into play on the field.
He has the gumption to challenge South African rugby offensive norms, through a cheeky chip or an improbable offload - as the Sharks found out in the 50-20 drubbing in last year's Currie Cup semifinal.
"I enjoy the type of rugby the Lions play, so I'm happy about the starts I'm getting.
"It is just a matter of finding your niche. I'm familiar with the style we are trying to play because I've been coached by [assistant coach and former Sharks Academy head] Swys de Bruin. I'm familiar with the patterns as well, which have made it easier for me to gel with the rest of the team members," he said.
Mnisi holds the key for Lions
LIONS inside centre Howard Mnisi, one of the players who could affect the result at Kings Park, insists he has nothing to prove when he comes up against his old franchise, the Sharks, on Saturday.
It is surprising, considering he probably would have been on the benches on KP2 watching on as the Sharks Super Rugby squad practised, along with journalists and support staff had he stayed.
That is how little he was valued at the province he joined in 2008 at under-19 level, where he managed to go as far as the Sharks XV Vodacom Cup squad in 2011 before packing his bags.
"Not at all," Mnisi said flatly when asked if he had anything to prove against the Sharks.
"It is always exciting going back to where I was at junior level and playing against old teammates, some of whom I'm still good mates with. I'm looking forward to it."
Mnisi is not everyone's favourite kind of inside centre, especially in a country where many coaches' idea of a good No 12 is a broad-shouldered player the size of an industrial crane.
He is misunderstood in many ways. Off the field he is a bit of a loner, a man who prefers the company of his music and headphones, or a book, but you would never tell that by how much he enjoys bringing others into play on the field.
He has the gumption to challenge South African rugby offensive norms, through a cheeky chip or an improbable offload - as the Sharks found out in the 50-20 drubbing in last year's Currie Cup semifinal.
"I enjoy the type of rugby the Lions play, so I'm happy about the starts I'm getting.
"It is just a matter of finding your niche. I'm familiar with the style we are trying to play because I've been coached by [assistant coach and former Sharks Academy head] Swys de Bruin. I'm familiar with the patterns as well, which have made it easier for me to gel with the rest of the team members," he said.
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