21-05-2025
UCT student Ntokozo Makhaza on cloud nine following Springboks alignment camp call-up
Makhaza is among the country's top 54 players for the Springboks alignment camp.
This achievement marks an important milestone for him and university rugby in SA.
Makaza says he aims to absorb everything he will be exposed to at the camp.
From Varsity Cup to the Springboks! This is the story of Ntokozo Makhaza, the 23-year-old University of Cape Town (UCT) student, who earned a spot in the Springboks alignment camp that is set to begin on 22 May.
This achievement marks a significant milestone for Makhaza and university rugby in South Africa.
According to UCT spokesperson Velisile Bukula, Makhaza's spot in the camp has ranked him among the country's top 54 players eligible for national selection, an achievement for someone who has not yet joined a professional rugby team and is still finishing his degree at UCT.
Born in Harrismith in the Free State, Makhaza grew up playing soccer but switched to rugby in primary school, where he fell in love with the sport.
Inspired by players such as Patrick Lambie, he found his place on the field as a fast backline player.
The youngster excitedly said that, when the Springbok management contacted him, he thought they wanted to congratulate him on the Varsity Cup season.
I'm a bit nervous but excited. I'm just happy and motivated to see that people are watching and monitoring varsity rugby. It inspired me to believe more that the dreams I have are possible.
Ntokozo Makhaza
He said if anyone had told him a few years back or even at the beginning of this year that he would be part of the Springbok alignment camp he would have laughed at them.
'To me, it's an honour, and I'm privileged and humbled.'
Makhaza is looking forward to everything he will be taught and exposed to at the camp.
'To be in the camp is an awesome opportunity for learning for me. My main goal is to learn and absorb as much as I can so that, when I join the Cheetahs, I'm better than when I was here at UCT. I'm always looking to improve, and I know the camp will provide me with a lot of detail; I will find a lot of growth there,' he explained.
Bukula said the Springbok invitation was an added milestone for Makhaza as he dominated the 2025 Varsity Cup, guiding the UCT Ikey Tigers to victory and receiving both player of the year and backline player of the year honours for the second consecutive year.
In this year's Varsity Cup, Makhaza scored 32 points in the Varsity Cup final against Stellenbosch University, leading UCT to the championship and finishing the season with 155 points.
They're giving youngsters a chance, and I want to make the most of that. It's about learning, growing and giving my best.
Ntokozo Makhaza
Makhaza is set to join the Free State Cheetahs in July for the upcoming Currie Cup season.
The manager of UCT Sport and Recreation, Mark Bashe, explained that Makhaza's selection was a historic moment for UCT and university sport in SA.
'This achievement proves that when a student athlete performs at an exceptional level, they are not only recognised by our coaches and provincial selectors but also by national coaches. It's virtually unheard of for a player to be invited to a Springbok alignment camp without first playing for a professional team.'
He added that he was thrilled and incredibly proud of Makhaza, as he had gone directly from a university player to being signed by the Cheetahs and now catching the eye of Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus.
'This shows that UCT Rugby is developing top-tier talent capable of competing on the national stage,' he said.
Makhaza is pursuing a degree in psychology and social development at the university. He is one course short of completing his degree and is set to graduate early in 2026.
