Hacjivah Dayimani hopes that getting involved in the trenches for the DHL Stormers catches the attention of the Springbok selectors as he dreams of reaching “greater heights”. DYLAN JACK reports.
Stormers coach John Dobson said in early 2023 that the “really unique” Dayimani can become a future Springbok game-breaker.
Blessed with incredible pace, the fleet-footed Dayimani burst onto the scene in 2017 at the Lions, where he was even used as a utility option in the backline during his formative years at Ellis Park.
However, Dayimani’s sensational skills have also seen him pigeonholed as a player who wouldn’t necessarily bring the level of physicality that is needed at Test level.
During a Stormers press conference ahead of the Champions Cup clash with the Sale Sharks, Dayimani outlined that he remains undeterred in his quest to “break the ceiling” of Springbok rugby.
“I’ve been playing Super Rugby since 2017 and I’ve been an up-and-coming player for almost eight years,” Dayimani chuckled.
“I’m just trying to change that, that I’m a player to look out for, and to break that ceiling. Hopefully, I can reach greater heights.
“If that Bok dream doesn’t come it won’t be the end of the world, I’ll keep improving.”
An injury to Evan Roos last year allowed Dayimani to shift to his more favoured No 8 position and he showed definite signs of growing his game by getting stuck in during a crucial run of games for the Stormers in December.
“Based on how the Stormers play, and with Evan Roos in the middle [of the back row], I was always in the wide channels,” Dayimani explained.
“Now the coaches and I have decided that’s [the tight-loose] where I need to improve because there’s a perception about me that I’m this guy who just wants to be in the wide channels, do the offloads and fancy passing but I shy away when it comes to the hard yards.
“In the games against Zebre, La Rochelle and the Bulls there were a few moments where you’re starting to see that I’m trying to be in the trenches, or where it’s hot – as we call it – it’s a part of my game I’m working on and trying to show.”
Dayimani added that he is now looking differently at what makes a successful ball-carrier.
“There’s a perception in rugby that in order to be a good ball-carrier you have to run into people.
“They don’t look at the metres made, and the defenders beaten, they look at the physicality of running into players as what makes you a good ball-carrier.
“When I looked at my stats, I always looked at defenders beaten, how many metres I made, and I always thought I was a good ball-carrier based on that, but other people think otherwise.
“So, I want to show people that I can be in those hot places on the rugby field and that I can mix the two to become a complete rugby player.”
Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images