The 25-year-old South African is enjoying his most consistent run of form, appearing eight times for Sale this season – only five fewer than in his first injury-hit season at the Sharks – and says he finally “feels at peace” in England.
No Premiership centre has made more metres than him (182) and his tally of 23 defenders beaten is the fourth-best in the league.
Van Rensburg attributes his new lease of life to the nutritional advice of his wife, Anri, and the associated weight loss.
“When I played last year, I weighed 118-119kgs and now I’m weighing 106107kgs,” the once-capped Springbok revealed.
“Credit to my wife, she does a lot of fitness competitions and has really helped me diet-wise. Eating healthier for a few weeks, being stricter on yourself and changing small habits, can really make a big difference and change the whole dynamic of your life.
Denne historien er fra December 15, 2019-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
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Denne historien er fra December 15, 2019-utgaven av The Rugby Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
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Outside centre best for Freeman - Burrell
FORMER England centre Luther Burrell believes Tommy Freeman is best suited at outside centre and has the attributes to become one of the best players in the world.
McGann calling all shots for Raiders
GUERNSEY Raiders took the honours against hosts Havant in their first meeting in the league.
We're Jamin! Hodgkins puts boot in to rivals
LUCTONIANS' first home game of the season saw them put away a useful Clifton side comfortably.
Rams finally end their Sale hoodoo with rout
RAMS produced one of their best performances of recent times to overcome Sale in resounding fashion on a sensational afternoon at Old Bath Road.
Wallabies push All Blacks to the limit in thriller
NEW Zealand kept their grip on their Bledisloe Cup but an had to endure encouraging Australian comeback from 21-0 down to suggest the future may not be as bleak as it seemed two weeks ago for Joe Schmidt's Wallabies.
New boys Chinnor open up in fine style
CHINNOR came, saw and conquered at Grantchester Road on their Championship debut, with Cambridge well off the desired pace in a lacklustre first-half for the hosts.
Yendle in place to steal it for Dragons
THE Dragons claimed a third successive victory over the Ospreys at Rodney Parade in the most dramatic fashion thanks to a converted try in the 84th minute of this URC opener.
We must find another gear - Sanderson
NO side accumulated more points than Sale after the break for the Six Nations last season, but Alex Sanderson says they will need to be better again to make the play-offs for the fourth time in five years.
Falcons can't hold on to livewire Randall
BRISTOL picked up where they left off last season, having won seven of their last eight and, although it took time for them to hit top gear, they departed Kingston Park with a deserved four-try victory.
'Old-man' Itoje has Saracens buzzing
SARACENS' new recruits fitted seamlessly into their style of play to run out convincing winners at Kingsholm for the third year in succession.