The coach who transformed Ntuthuko Mchunu from a journeyman loose forward into a Springbok prop says the positional switch was inspired by his work with Tendai Mtawarira.
Sean Everitt, the former Sharks coach now at the helm of Edinburgh, played a key role in moulding both front rowers after recognising they possessed the raw materials to excel at loosehead prop despite playing elsewhere early in their careers.
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Everitt helped sculpt World Cup winner Mtawarira into a loosehead after then Sharks boss Dick Muir decided to take that route with the player who would go on to become one of the Boks’ most decorated forwards.
“Beast was initially hesitant, where Ntuthuko showed enthusiasm, but at the same time was a bit uncertain,” Everitt recalled to Netwerk24.
Mtawarira went on to earn 117 Test caps, win a series against the British & Irish Lions in 2009 and lift the Webb Ellis Cup in 2019.
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The parallels with Mchunu are striking.
Despite showing promise at Maritzburg College and in the Sharks’ junior ranks, Mchunu didn’t fit the mould of a modern South African loose forward.
“He was invited to SA U20 camps, but unfortunately did not make the cut. As a loose forward in South Africa you must be tall and a lineout option. He was not very tall and the lineouts were not his strong point,” Everitt said.
“The fastest route to the top was by making a positional switch to loosehead prop. The rest is history.”
Photo: Grant Pitcher/Gallo Images
The post How Everitt turned Mchunu into Beast 2.0 appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
