The corridors of Doornfontein will seem far removed from the pageantry of Test rugby this week, but Lions scrumhalf Morné van den Berg knows that if he wants more Springbok rugby, he will have to apply recent experiences and lessons in the United Rugby Championship.
Now returned from Bok duty, Van den Berg – with two Test caps to his name – could make his URC season debut for the Lions against Edinburgh at Ellis Park on Saturday (1.45pm kick-off).
He will do so armed with a new understanding and appreciation after his Bok sojourn.
It was not an easy peregrination for the 27-year-old. His performance against Australia in the Rugby Championship, particularly, was received with mixed reviews as he battled tough conditions and a desperate Wallaby outfit.
Nevertheless, Van den Berg should arrive back home a better player, and with the personal goal of playing himself into Bok contention for the upcoming November tour against Scotland, England and Wales.
“I will always work on my fundamentals to get better and better,” he said during a media briefing this week.
“Regarding game management, it is about when to play quick, when to control it and play the situation as it is.
“I was exposed to a whole new environment and systems,” he continued.
“It’s not about reinventing the wheel or anything, but I will definitely take a few valuable things I have learnt there by implementing them here.
“I loved (the Bok set-up) and I really enjoyed the environment. I learnt a lot from Tony (Brown), Jerry (Flannery) and (Mzwandile) Stick (all Bok assistant coaches).
“The biggest lesson was probably to be selfless and to put the team first in everything you do; and just to serve, even when you are not playing.”
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Although now recognised as a Bok, Van den Berg will not merely walk back into the Lions team, as the Joburg side’s halfback department is in rude health.
This past weekend, in their 35-22 victory over Ulster, the Lions started with Sanele Nohamba at scrumhalf.
He was outstanding on the day, giving credence to the argument that No 9 is his best and preferred position.
Nico Steyn, meanwhile, covered both No 9 and No 10 from the bench.
Serious contemplation will, therefore, be required to make space for Van den Berg against the Scottish outfit this weekend.
Nohamba could be moved to the No 10 channel, where he impressed last season, to accommodate ‘Krappie’.
But that would arguably be unfair to Kade Wolhuter, who was solid during the match.
The former Western Province flyhalf scored 15 points against the Ulstermen, including a try, and continues to grow in confidence.
Steyn, meanwhile, is developing into something special, and stifling that progress might dent his form.
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Nevertheless, Edinburgh will present the Lions with an important examination ahead of a five match European tour, and the perfect team for Van den Berg to apply his learnings.
Only two players – Matt Scott and Wes Goosen – in their starting XV that narrowly lost to the Bulls last weekend, did not have Test experience, and there is no reason to believe that coach Sean Everitt will make any changes to his team this time around.
“We watched their game against the Bulls, and it was a tight game,” Lions assistant coach Ricardo Loubscher admitted, while sitting next to Van den Berg.
“It was a game of inches. They have internationals across the board. We want to make sure that we improve on our performance from last week.
“There has been lots of hard work from our side, and we are looking forward to Saturday.”
Clashes between the two sides have been close, with each team recording a win. If that narrative holds, an average score of 19-18 in favour of the Lions could be the tale of the tape.