The Sharks’ win-or-bust visit to Bordeaux in France on Sunday afternoon (3pm kick-off) provides a golden opportunity for forgotten hero Siya Masuku to reclaim the No 10 jersey that was his for most of last year.
Early last year, Masuku was given a shot at flyhalf after having spent months holding tackle bags, having moved to Durban from the Cheetahs in Bloemfontein.
In his first five games for the Sharks, he was the Player of the Match four times as the Durbanites turned their season around, and began winning Challenge Cup games that would take them to the final against Gloucester.
In one of those matches, the playoff against Clermont, Masuku nailed a late touchline conversion to win the game 32-31 for his team.
His Sharks debut came in a second-half cameo off the bench in the derby against the Stormers in Durban in round 10 of the URC, inspiring a comeback that almost shocked the high-flying champions.
Masuku started against Ulster in round 12, and was excellent off the tee to help the Sharks halt a five-game losing streak.
That victory began a turnaround that culminated in glory at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, with Masuku at the centre of it all.
The 28-year-old from the small KZN town of Paulpietersburg was excellent in that Challenge Cup final, and the world was at his feet as the Sharks were crowned champions.
The Sharks (and Masuku) followed up their trophy-winning ways when they nailed the Currie Cup at Ellis Park.
Interestingly, in that final, Jordan Hendrikse played at fullback, with Masuku at No 10.
Around that time, the Sharks also extended his contract until 2028.
With his bend-it-like-Beckham kicking style and his bravery in taking the ball to the line, Masuku was riding the crest of the wave, and an invitation to a national alignment camp seemed to have sealed the deal for him as a future Springbok.
But then things changed…
For some time now, Sharks coach John Plumtree has preferred Jordan Hendrikse at flyhalf, and the way he configures his bench, there has been no place for a back-up pivot.
This is probably because scrumhalf Jaden Hendrikse is equally at home at flyhalf, and Plumtree likes to have the strike power of versatile Grant Williams on the bench.
The thinking is that if there is an injury at flyhalf, Jaden can move there and Williams will take over at nine.
In short, over the last three or four months, Masuku has dropped off the charts.
But Jordan Hendrikse was injured last week against Toulouse and Masuku is in Bordeaux to partner Jaden, with Williams likely on the bench as he is returning from injury.
Masuku knows this is his shot at showing he was not a flash in the pan in 2024, but mitigating against him is a lack of game-time.
So, if he is a touch rusty, he should not be harshly judged.
But knowing Masuku and how hard he has had to work for recognition, he will rise to the challenge.
He began his career at North-West University, from where he was signed by the Lions.
But with the Johannesburg enjoying Super Rugby success under Johan Ackermann, Masuku barely played.
He had opportunities with the Southern Kings in the old PRO14 (the predecessor to the URC), only to be relegated to playing amateur rugby for club side Rustenberg Impala, where he won the 2019 National Inter-Club Gold Cup.
He played for six months in Spain, before the Cheetahs brought him home in 2021.
He rewarded the Free State side with superb performances that helped them to Challenge Cup playoffs in the 2022-23 season and the Currie Cup title in 2023.
This saw the Sharks come knocking on his door. He had a quiet beginning at the Shark Tank, before reaching for the stars – only to find himself back on the outer.
Many rugby supporters will be hoping that Sunday afternoon is the beginning of another positive chapter in Masuku’s career. | Independent Media Sport