The Hurricanes are close to re-signing one of their brightest prospects beyond the 2020 season.
South African winger Kobus van Wyk was a revelation before the COVID-19 lockdown and both he and the club want him to extend his time in Wellington.
The 28-year old is currently negotiating an extension to his one year contract, and he is keen to stay and further his rugby development as he eyes higher honours.
"I'm feeling right at home with the boys and it's been an awesome few weeks, few months, with them leading up to COVID," van Wyk says.
But the last two months have tested him personally and emotionally.
While van Wyk is in Wellington with his wife and son - and a second on the way - the rest of his family is back in South Africa, where the coronavirus landscape is vastly different and much more uncertain.
"I'm missing them [extended family]," van Wyk says.
"It's tough sitting in New Zealand because you can't do anything for your parents back home, so if anything goes wrong on that side of the world, you can't even fly in and support them."
Van Wyk was brought to New Zealand after a mid World Cup pitch last year from then-coach John Plumtree.
The now All Blacks assistant coach has played a big part in helping van Wyk and his family settle in the capital.
"He still comes around on his bike when he gets bored at home, we have a coffee."
But van Wyk isn't settling for just Super Rugby with his sights firmly set on cracking the world champion Springboks, ahead of a potential British and Irish Lions tour next year.
"It's been a dream since childhood - playing for the Boks has always been a dream of mine, it's always in the back of my mind."
