For a flyhalf lauded for his BMT, attacking nous, deft passing game, ball on-a-string kicking and haematoma-inducing defence, it is hard to find areas of improvement for the Sharks’ highlights reel hogger Siya Masuku.
The fervour with which he tackles the latter pursuit has drawn comparisons with Henry Honiball and Butch James from Sharks’ defence coach Joey Mongalo, but there is a school of thought that says Masuku can get even better.
“If I’m honest, I don’t think his technique is good,” said Cheetahs defence coach Charl Strydom candidly.
“It is something we worked on a lot,” recalled Strydom of the time Masuku played in Cheetahs colours.
Siya is very skillful in many areas, and is a good poacher. He has good anticipation at the breakdown
Heading for trouble
Strydom reminds, though, if the game’s lawmakers are advocating a general drop in tackle height it should not come at risk to tackler or ball carrier. “He goes very low and his head faces down and he doesn’t see if the ball carrier moves just before contact. He’s had a few knocks against the head as a result.
“Besides, I prefer guys to go a bit higher so that you can’t get the offload away. Also, if you go really low it doesn’t look like you’re trying to wrap and you could get a yellow card.”
Elsewhere in defence however, Masuku, a former Piet Retief High pupil, ticks the required boxes. “The one advantage of going low is you can get a guy on the ground early,” said Strydom.
“Siya is very skillful in many areas, and is a good poacher. He has good anticipation at the breakdown. His tracking isn’t bad and he’s quick off the mark. He will fit in well with the Springboks, who go up quick and take space away from you. His attitude in defence is great.”
Getting physical
It is a commodity Mongalo believes helps set the Paulpietersburg-born player apart. “In South Africa definitely and potentially around the world, he is the most physical 10,” gushed Mongalo.
“Some teams will move their 10 around to get him out of the way of loose forwards but he wants to stand there. It’s an innate quality.”
Mongalo admits Masuku’s eagerness to get involved might at times get him into a spot of bother but neither he nor the player would have it any other way. “We’ve got a system that allows him to be in the firing line and work his way out. He is good at understanding that. But there is no defensive coach in the world who would not want a 10 that wants to be in the firing line.”
With a game built on close observation of Test retirees Quade Cooper and Morne Steyn, Masuku seeks to bring balance to his game. “You don’t play flyhalf for the Free State and win Currie Cups if you don’t have flair,” noted Mongalo. “He sees space and he has that range of kicks. His kicks to goal are unbelievably good.”
Raising the flags
Masuku is a goal-kicking ace, and he didn’t start hitting the mark this season. His match-winning kick against Pau in the Challenge Cup last year gave a glimpse of his range on a bigger stage.
His 21-point haul in the Challenge Cup final was the latest reminder of his prowess off the tee. He earned four man-of-the-match awards before that final. He is the toast of the town but his glass wasn’t always full.
The 27-year-old Masuku has had an itinerant existence with stints at the Golden Lions, Leopards and Southern Kings, and a short stint in Spain and with the Cheetahs before he crossed the Maluti mountain to his home province.
The sentiment had often been expressed that while in Bloemfontein, Masuku’s game time was not commensurate with his talent. When he joined the Cheetahs after six months in Spain he was fourth in line for the No 10 jersey.
With Covid-19 still thick in the air, he got his lucky break when some of the established midfield contenders fell ill.
Masuku got a sniff and hasn’t looked back. The Sharks provided him an elevated stage and he has shone. Within the space of a few months Masuku played himself into Bok contention, but again he is confronted by a queue.
Thankfully for him, this one is short.
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