How quickly things can change in rugby. Just a few months ago Howard Mnisi wouldn’t have dreamed he’d be involved in a Currie Cup final, but just two days away from Saturday’s showdown in Cape Town it’s the only thing he can think about.
It has been a true fairy-tale story for the 25-year-old, who only joined the Lions after the Currie Cup had got underway. Not wanted by Griquas, where he’d fallen out of favour and also lost confidence, Mnisi has found a new home at the Lions and he’ll be involved in the biggest game of his life on Saturday.
Some would say the former Standerton High School pupil – where he played in the first team alongside another Lions stalwart Jaco Kriel – has hit the jackpot. Saturday’s game will be Mnisi’s third start for the Lions, after making most of his appearances from off the bench during the Currie Cup.
“It’s been quite a nice ride so far,” said a chilled out Mnisi this week. “To be honest, I’m pretty stoked about playing in the final. It’s something I’d never thought possible a few months ago.”
In only his second start for the Lions last weekend, against the Sharks in the semi-finals at Ellis Park, Mnisi was the standout backline player, bossing the midfield alongside Lionel Mapoe. He scored his team’s opening try in the 10th minute with a clever grubber kick which he collected and dotted down and generally enjoyed a dream match.
But it’s taken season-ending injuries to Alwyn Hollenbach and Stokkies Hanekom for Mnisi to get a proper chance.
“It’s unfortunate those guys got hurt, but it’s now my opportunity,” he said. “I suppose I made the right move at the right time. It’s important that the coaches back you and believe in you, which Swys de Bruin and Johan Ackermann do. Getting that sort of confidence and backing releases the pressure that you’d ordinarily be playing under.”
Mnisi, like many of his teammates, has had a challenging start to his professional rugby career.
He played age-group rugby for the Sharks and then Varsity Cup rugby for the Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University before ending up at Griquas.
A few appearances in Super Rugby for the Cheetahs this season followed, but when Mnisi failed to make the Griquas bench earlier this year De Bruin – who’d coached him at the Sharks Academy and knew his potential – offered him a place at the Lions.
“I’ve had dealings with Swys since my Sharks days and he’s always believed in me. He’s played a big role in my rugby development and it’s great to be playing under him again,” said Mnisi.
De Bruin said he was chuffed Mnisi has grabbed his chance.
“What’s very pleasing about our campaign this year is that quite a few guys have been thrown in at the deep end, and they’ve all made it,” De Bruin said.
“Howard is one of them ... he’s come through brilliantly and fitted into our game very well.”
The big centre, standing 1.86m tall and tipping the scales at 100kg, says last week’s semi-final was “one of the game’s of my life. I really just enjoyed myself out there. It certainly stands out as one of my best performances at senior level.”
Mnisi says playing in a set-up where players aren’t forced to play a certain way is refreshing.
“The coaches have given us the freedom to make decisions on the field, and that’s very enjoyable. I like to play it as I see it, but that doesn’t mean I’m not going to think about what I’m doing or go outside of what’s expected and required by the team. It’s all about adapting to what’s in front of you and the Lions have been good at that this year.” - The Star