For any athlete playing against your former team can be a double-edged sword.
And this weekend will be no different for Boeta Chamberlain when the Bulls host the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld.
Not only is it a case of revenge against his former employer but he also has to show his current bosses he has what it takes to wear the Bulls No.10 jersey.
The 25-year-old Chamberlain joined the Bulls in May 2024 from the Sharks.
He spent five seasons at the Sharks, scoring 263 points for the team in 58 matches across all competitions, and fell out of contention after a topsy-turvy stay.
It seems like the same situation is slowly developing at the Bulls.
Last weekend, Chamberlain played off the bench during the Bulls’ 33-32 win over the Stormers in Cape Town.
Bulls Director of Rugby Jake White opted for Springbok veteran Willie le Roux at flyhalf, while Chamberlain joined the proceedings in the final eight minutes.
White’s gamble at flyhalf paid off.
However, this weekend the Bulls might opt for a new strategy and hand the pivot role to Chamberlain, who already gave the hosts an advantage with his inside knowledge of the Sharks.
“With every team, we have a different game-plan,” Chamberlain told reporters.
“We do our homework differently and come up with a plan that we think, and feel will fit the best for that weekend.
“With me and Aphiwe [Dyantyi] being at the Sharks for quite a while, I gave a bit of inside information [about] how they want to play and what they are looking for and stuff.
“We’ve definitely got a good game-plan going into this weekend – knowing what to expect, and individuals that they have and what they can bring as well.
“So, it’s just trying to focus on our game-plan, and execute it as best as possible.”
Chamberlain explained: “I think going into this weekend, the biggest thing for us will be to keep it as tidy as possible.
“They have individuals who can create something out of absolutely nothing, so we want to keep the game as structured as possible against the Sharks because they live off unstructured play.”
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Showing BMT
With Bulls first-choice Johan Goosen injured, the spotlight has been put on Chamberlain’s gaol-kicking.
At the moment David Kriel is the preferred goal-kicker, but with the centre missing an easy conversion last weekend, Chamberlain might take over the responsibility.
The 25-year-old has missed some pressure kicks during a professional career, including an extra time long-range penalty attempt against Sharks in last year’s Currie Cup semifinal.
The match ended in a 40-all draw with the Sharks advancing to the Final having scored more tries.
“I don’t see myself as a person that misses on purpose and I do believe I have BMT,” Chamberlain said when asked about his ability to convert during pressure moments.
“But in the process of putting the ball down, stepping back … there is such a small margin for error.
“It can depend on a lot of things, but once you stand back, getting ready for the kick, in the moment, it’s either you get it or you don’t get it.
“It’s nothing to do with my prep or anything like that.”
