Rising prop Phiwayinkosi "Rambo" Kubheka is eager to tap into the elite mindset and vast experience of New Zealand legend Ma'a Nonu as he shifts his focus back to the Hollywoodbets Sharks and the season ahead.
Nonu will spend the next few months in Durban as part of a high-performance mentorship programme designed to accelerate the development of the club's next generation of players.
While admiring Nonu’s formidable physical presence and career achievements, Kubheka is most focused on picking the brain of the two-time Rugby World Cup winner regarding long-term consistency and mental resilience at the highest level.
"The one thing I would ask him about is mindset," said Kubheka. "People talk about rugby being a physical game, but it's also deeply mental. I want to understand how he's been able to keep his mind in equilibrium with his physicality and how he's consistently maintained that mental sharpness over so many years at the top."
Fresh off lifting the World Rugby U20 Championship trophy with the Junior Springboks, the powerful front-rower now prepares to make an impact from the bench in this weekend’s Currie Cup clash against the DHL Stormers XXIII.
Kubheka, who captained the team in their opening pool match against Uruguay, attributed the squad's success to a strong team culture, genuine connection and shared mission. He admits the magnitude of winning the title is still sinking in.
"It feels so surreal," Kubheka reflected. "You play to win, and then when you win, in that moment it doesn't quite feel like you've won. But then as time goes by you think, wow, we've actually accomplished something this big. It’s breathtaking."
Kubheka’s seamless reintegration into the Sharks setup has been bolstered by the supportive environment fostered by head coach JP Pietersen and the new coaching staff, whose player-first philosophy aligns closely with his own values.
As he gears up for the Sharks XV in Currie Cup action on Saturday, Kubheka says his experience at the Under-20 Championship has helped his preparation for the season.
“It's helped me a lot, especially physically,” he explained. “Your body gets used to the collisions and you get exposed to the physicality. I think the Under-20 level is actually quite similar to the Currie Cup in that regard. I am looking forward to being back with the Sharks and making a contribution.”
The match will take place at DHL Stadium on Saturday, 1 August at 3pm.