The talented and “really unique” Hacjivah Dayimani can become a future Springbok game-breaker, according to DHL Stormers coach John Dobson.
Blessed with sublime pace and fast feet for a loose forward, 25-year-old Dayimani has this season continued to complement athleticism with physicality while revelling in a dynamic Stormers loose trio that features Evan Roos and Deon Fourie.
He set up two tries in the semi-final against Connacht – the first with a slick offload to Marcel Theunissen, and the second after a behind-the-back pass for Ruhan Nel – as the defending Vodacom URC champions won 43-25 and booked a home final against Munster next week.
“He’s a unique loose forward, and not just in South Africa, he would be unique in lots of countries,” Dobson told reporters this week.
“I don’t know where he stands in the national rankings… look, he’s got a massive game-breaking ability, I’m sure that could be applied at international level.”
KEO: Dayimani offers Boks a 7-1 bench
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If this is what he did in the @Vodacom #URC semi–finals, imagine what Dayimani’s got for the Grand Final!@Vodacom #URC|#UnitedWeRise pic.twitter.com/KWliXLNP9P
— vodacomrugby (@VodacomRugga) May 17, 2023
Dayimani is the ultimate impact player, and his versatility will make him a Bok bolter off the bench, yet Dobson reckons the timing might not be right for a maiden call-up with the World Cup in September.
“I would suspect – given that he is really, really unique and that he hasn’t played international rugby – it’s obviously not something that’s a consideration in this Bok cycle. He hasn’t got caps, he hasn’t got experience, he hasn’t been tested at that level.
“He’s got some x-factor, so maybe he fits into the next cycle. I hope he does and I think he can bring something there, but I wouldn’t even think he is on the radar for this one.
“Hopefully he will get there one day, he’s still a youngster. As he hones those harder, darker skills of maul defence and his own mauling, hopefully he can become an international.”
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