The current international break in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship is a welcome one for Trevor Nyakane as he takes stock of the opening rounds of a competition which the veteran prop is experiencing for the first time this season, and which he says has impressed him with its fierce competitiveness.

Nyakane was already committed to French club Racing 92 when the Vodacom United Rugby Championship first launched. Having returned to South Africa with the Hollywoodbets Sharks, Nyakane says he’s enjoying the change of pace provided by the competition.

“It’s a very exciting competition. It’s actually been a lot harder than I thought. It’s not like your usual French Top 14 competition where you face the same kind of players every week, and the same kind of mentality. Here you’re facing the Irish who play a bit different, the Welsh, the Scots and of course the South African sides. It’s very challenging, not just physically but also mentally to prepare for each side that you’ll be playing on the weekend,” says Nyakane.

“There’s no easy game in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship, and that’s the exciting part about it. Every week is hectic. Every week is tough. You have to prepare as well as you can for your opponent. It makes it more exciting. The game has evolved and players have improved in terms of analysing and studying each opponent. Every team studies their opponent very well. The competition has great coaching and great systems. It’s very healthy for rugby going forward.”

As a veteran of the game, Nyakane says he’s still driven by the desire to win trophies.

“I still have a deep love for the game, and being able to play back in South Africa is an amazing opportunity for me. Coming back to a team like the Hollywoodbets Sharks is based on my ambition to still win trophies and actually still perform well. The team has very high standards and the potential for trophies is there.”

Nyakane says he’s also been impressed with the rise in new talent in South African rugby since his return.

“There’s been a big jump in talent with the younger players coming through and performing. There are a lot more youngsters coming through earlier and they’re not just there to fill up the numbers. They are talented and have the potential to become great players one day.”