It was a tough old time for Boeta Chamberlain in late 2023 and early 2024.
He had missed two critical goal-kicks for the Sharks that saw the Durban side go down to Connacht and then the Lions in the United Rugby Championship, and it wasn’t long before he was on his way out of KZN.
He joined the Bulls in July last year, and has steadily built up his confidence again.
Chamberlain called the shots with aplomb for the Bulls in the early rounds of the URC this season, in the absence of the injured Johan Goosen.
Once the Springbok pivot was fit, he was catapulted straight into the No 10 jersey, but sustained a knee injury against the Lions a few weeks ago.
That saw Willie le Roux slot in as the pivot, where he produced a superb cameo at Ellis Park, which was followed with a start in last week’s 33-32 win over the Stormers in Cape Town.
But it was an up-and-down display from the veteran Bok fullback, and coach Jake White may consider recalling Chamberlain for Saturday’s clash against the Sharks at Loftus Versfeld (5pm start).
The 25-year-old – who hails from Cape Town and attended Paarl Boys’ High – certainly won’t be lacking any motivation to put one over his former team.
But even if he plays off the bench, like he did against the Stormers, Chamberlain feels that his game has improved over the last year or so.
“I think the biggest difference for me was probably finding the love of the game again – and that’s a big thanks to the guys around me, who made me feel comfortable straight away,” Chamberlain said on Tuesday.
“They put their trust in me from the word go. There was no funny business on me being the new kid on the block.
“It’s a major thank you to the guys around me for making it possible, and just making me feel welcome. In that, I can enjoy my game again.”
Asked whether he feels he lacks the necessary big-match temperament to handle those pressure kicks, Chamberlain said: “I will definitely say that when you get yourself in that situation, I don’t see myself as someone that misses on purpose.
“And I believe I have BMT. But in the process of putting your ball down and stepping back, there is such a small margin for error.
“It can depend on a lot of things, but once you stand back, making ready for the kick, I just think 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.”
The Bulls nearly lost against the Stormers after makeshift kicker David Kriel missed a few shots at goal – although Chamberlain defended the centre, saying that the swirling wind was a major factor in Cape Town.
But they may turn to a more established flyhalf like Chamberlain to handle those duties against the Sharks.
He praised backline coach Chris Rossouw and Le Roux for their advice in how to dictate play for the Bulls, and he hopes to get an opportunity against a Sharks team he knows well.
“I gave a bit of inside information of how they want to play and what they are looking for and stuff!” Chamberlain quipped.
“It’s always nice to talk to someone (Rossouw) who’s been there and done that, who has played before, and dealt with certain situations better, or in a different way.
“He’s just told me from day one to do what I do best. He’s been helping me a lot with my kicking as well, so just a process of finding something that works, and sticking to that.
“He’s (Le Roux) an unbelievable guy. The way he thinks about the game and approaches the game is something I’ve never experienced.
“Just little detail that he helps me a lot with, especially with positioning on kicking or running, and what to look for and how to look for it.
“I would definitely say the individuals that they have (are the Sharks’ biggest threat) – they can create something out of absolutely nothing.
“Ideally against the Sharks, you tend to keep it as structured as possible, as they live off unstructured play.
“The biggest thing for us will be to just keep it as tidy as possible.
“Everyone knows what to do, everyone knows what to expect. I’ve got a feeling that this weekend will be a good weekend.”