The following season was also a frustrating one for Nikora. Eric Elwood departed the province to be replaced by Pat Lam, but in September 2013, before he had played his first match of the season, Nikora picked up a shoulder injury. It later emerged that the shoulder would require surgery and could mean missing up to five months of the season. Nikora played no part in the 2013–14 Heineken Cup, and ultimately did not play in the 2013–14 Pro12 until 23 February 2014 against Zebre, when he came on as a replacement. Nikora made four more appearances from the bench and three starts before the end of the season.