SaberCats’ Carlo de Nysschen Steps Up with Dillon Smit Sidelined

By Aaron Wilson

Carlo de Nysschen delivered a try, and a strong performance in a clutch situation.

The SaberCats needed the scrum half to step up, and de Nysschen did so impressively when regular scrum half Dillon Smit suffered an injury and couldn’t continue to play.

In a 33-12 victory over the Dallas Jackals, de Nysschen had a significant role against his former team. Now, he’ll continue to start Saturday night with Smit out for a home opener match against the Nola Gold at SaberCats Stadium.

“He started very well,” SaberCats coach Pote Human said of de Nysschen. “He’s a youngster filling in the boots for Dillon Smit, a great player. These guys come in and do a good job. There’s good potential in the team.”

de Nysschen (5-foot-10, 190 pounds), 26, was a team captain once last year for the Jackals. He has also played for the San Diego Legion, scoring 24 points on three tries, three conversions and one penalty goal.

“It’s been good, to be fair,” de Nysschen said. “Obviously signing with the team, I knew Dillon is a world-class player. I was excited to learn off of him. Unfortunately for him and for the team, he’s injured now.”

A native of Pretoria, South Africa and a graduate of Afrikaanse Hoër Seunskool, a prestigious rugby school, de Nysschen played collegiately at the University of the Free State and played on the U21 team. Six years ago, de Nysschen moved to the United States and played for the Glendale Rugby Academy Raptors.

“I just try to be consistent in my core skills,” de Nysschen said. “I don’t think I’m the flashiest player. I just try to be consistent every week.”

The SaberCats are off to a 1-0 start as they face the 0-1 Gold.

“It was a good start, a good foundation,” de Nyscchen said. “The good thing is we’ve got a lot to work on. I think it’s a good thing. You don’t want to be perfect in the first game. We want something to work on. We’ve got a big three weeks to work on things until our bye. We just want to get better each week.

“Nola, throughout the years, has been a very exciting team. We’re going to have to be up for it on Sunday. They’ve got some really good rugby veterans. I think it’s good. Most of the boys have been together since November. We’re slowly getting there. Every week, we’re trying to get 1 percent better. Hopefully, by the end of the season we’ll be firing. It’s a good start, for sure.”

*Photos by Nicolas Romero