The comparisons may be endless, but for Ntuthuko Mchunu the time has come to drop the shackles of being compared to Springbok great Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira and to start creating his own legacy.
Mchunu may be seen as a bolter, particularly because he has quietly been carving out his own reputation in provincial and franchise rugby and is not a big talker.
But the 114kg prop will get the chance this weekend to show what he is made of as he makes his debut for the Springboks in the second test against Wales.
It is a moment that Mchunu undoubtedly never saw coming this fast. The moment arrived as fast as the viral try that he scored last year against the Lions where his turn of speed surprised the defence and made him an instant rugby sensation.
That he has speed to burn for a prop is no secret, and like Beast Mtawarira he also was shifted from loose forward to the front row.
But while some have dubbed him “Beast 2.0”, the young former Maritzburg College pupil knows those comparisons only last as long as you are playing well.
While Mtawarira has undoubtedly served as a mentor to the the youngster, and is an inspiration to him, it is understandable that Mchunu doesn’t want people to get too focused on the 2.0 nature of the comparison.
He wants to front up on his own and play a part in a Springbok team that is as exciting in its potential explosive power as the selection shocked many around the world.
“First of all, it’s a massive thing being called Beast 2.0. But I just want to create my own legacy,” Mchunu said on Wednesday.
“He is someone who set the bar high for us. I want to do it my way, but I am very grateful for what people are calling me.
“He has been a great mentor for me. Perhaps more in terms of off-the-field stuff and coming into the system in the same way that he came into the system. He has been great, from a mental point of view. Just understanding that there is someone out there who has done this all before and who I can turn to if there is something that I need.”
'MASSIVE PRIVILEGE'
Mchunu revealed that he has been quietly groomed by the Bok coaches for his role, having sat down with them at various alignment and training camps.
“I have had a sit down with coaches — they have played a huge part — and it hasn’t just been going on for this week. It has been happening ever since we were in Pretoria when the other guys were playing in the URC. It is something that we have been preparing for these past four weeks or so.
“It’s a test match. Every team that plays against the Springboks fronts up and takes its game up a level. Wales are definitely going to front up, but we will be ready for it.”
The legacy he has to uphold is not only that of Mtawarira, but in his Springbok teammates he has a number of top players that the Welsh coach Wayne Pivac rated as the “best scrum in the world” a few weeks back.
“I am just going to do what I’m picked to do and do my best. Obviously, it is a massive privilege and they have created that name for themselves, particularly the Bomb Squad, coming on and making sure that they inflict that slow poison that is renowned for the Springboks,” he explained.
“I have no worries running on with the men that I am running on with; guys that have won massive championships. They have really been good mentors for me.”
And it wasn’t a day he thought would arrive as soon as it did.
“Emotionally, it has been good. It has been a big thing for my family. I have just taken it one day at a time, focusing on each day and each detail. I will only really let the emotion out on Saturday. For now, I am making sure I sharpen up and that I am ready to go.
“This is something I had in my goals. But I didn’t think that, with the switch from loose forward, it would come this soon.”