Latest news with #Ntlabakanye
TimesLIVE
6 hours ago
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
New Bok prop Ntlabakanye put through wringer on scrum coach Human's farm
Soon-to-be Springbok tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has gone the extra mile in trying to keep up with the free-running Barbarians in Saturday's clash at Cape Town Stadium. Moreover, his gut-busting actions over the past few weeks will help him fit in with the Springboks. Ntlabakanye has toiled on the farm of Springbok scrum coach Daan Human and has trimmed down from about 160kg to 141kg before Saturday's clash. Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus said the burly Lions prop's time on Human's farm has had the desired results. 'He went a few times to Daan's farm and stayed there for a week and Daan worked with him — with the blessing of the Lions coach and CEO — after the Lions fell out of the URC,' he said. 'Whenever there was a break, he drove to Bloemfontein, went to the farm and he dropped 15kg to 18kg. So let's hope he can now perform at Test-match level — that will be great.' Kamp Daandraad!! — Johan Erasmus (@RassieRugby) June 24, 2025 Human also put fellow prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels through an unconventional training regimen. Erasmus took to social media to post pictures of Ntlabakanye and Wessels being put through the wringer on Human's farm in Verkeerde Vlei, just more than 80km south of Bloemfontein. The coach referred to the exercise as 'Kamp Daandraad' in reference to the Springboks' jaw-droopingly infamous pre-2003 Rugby World Cup boot camp. Getting Ntlabakanye fighting fit is in the Boks' interest. Long-time occupier of the No 3 jersey Frans Malherbe is out injured for the remainder of the year and the Boks need to deepen their reserves in that position. At 26 Ntlabakanye is an investment in the Bok future when one considers Malherbe, Vincent Koch and Neethling Fouche are 34, 35, and 32 respectively. Wilco Louw, who has been laying serious claim to the No 3 jersey, is 30. Erasmus's attempt to get Ntlabakanye up to Bok speed, though radical, has been proactive. Reaching the desired mobility to fit into the demands of the Bok game plan would have been a box Ntlabakanye was required to tick before getting the selection nod. Jan Hendrik taste Kamp Staal Daan — Johan Erasmus (@RassieRugby) June 25, 2025 Erasmus places a high premium on his players getting off the deck and engaging in battles around the park. Despite bending defences on the charge and stunting opposition attacks with his firm embrace for the Lions, the 160kg version of Ntlabakanye would not have fitted the Bok mould. 'When we started looking at Asenathi two years ago, we tracked his 'battle' stats and they are up there with almost anyone,' Erasmus said. 'We then got him in with the help of Rudolf [Straeuli] and the Lions, and we said we've got to get this right.' The Lions' failure to reach the URC knockout rounds presented Ntlabakanye with the opportunity to accept Human's offer to improve his skills and fitness. The Lions' loss this season may turn out to be the Boks' gain. This Saturday Ntlabakanye appears ready to slip into a new role. In a recent interview with this writer, Ntlabakanye said he could have been a good actor had rugby not been his career choice, even proclaiming a deep admiration for actor Denzel Washington. You could argue Ntlabakanye's 'Training Day' has ensured 'He got game'.
The Citizen
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Watch: Ntlabakanye in good shape after ‘special' sessions on Bok scrum guru's farm
Monstrous Lions prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye is primed to make a big Springbok splash when he dons the green and gold for the first time in their non-Test season opener against the Barbarians in Cape Town this weekend. The Citizen reports that, at yesterday's team announcement, coach Rassie Erasmus revealed Ntlabakanye had taken part in 'special' training sessions with Bok scrum guru Daan Human in the build-up to the Test season and had gone through dramatic physical changes to prepare for the rigours of international rugby. Ntlabakanye reportedly weighed in at over 150kg while playing for the Lions, and has slimmed down slightly through his various trips to Bloemfontein, where he was put through the wringer to meet the Springboks' expectations. 'He went a few times up to Daan's farm and stayed there for a week, and Daan worked with him really well, with the Lions coach and CEO's blessing, and whenever there was a break he drove to the farm,' explained Erasmus. 'He's dropped 15 to 18kg and let's hope he can do what he does (for his franchise) at Test match level, which will be great. 'I don't want to mention names, but we've done it with three or four other players, also in the front row specifically, because that's something we struggle to get right in an alignment camp, because Daan loves to work the core.' Prop crisis opens the door The Boks are experiencing a bit of a prop crisis at the moment, with multiple front rankers currently out injured, including veteran double Rugby World Cup winner Frans Malherbe, whose career could be on the line due to his recent struggles. That has opened the door for Ntlabakanye's inclusion in the squad, while Wilco Louw's involvement for the Bulls in the URC final meant he was not considered for this weekend, allowing the Lions forward to start. Uncapped Stormers prop Neethling Fouche will back him up off the bench. 'Franna (Malherbe) is unfortunately out for a pretty long time, until we get clarity there, and all of a sudden your first-choice No 3 is unavailable,' said Erasmus. 'We always expected that we would lose guys eventually, and we have always had Asenathi on the radar. We just could never get him into the squad and work with him on the things that we wanted to work on.' Jan Hendrik taste Kamp Staal Daan — Johan Erasmus (@RassieRugby) June 25, 2025 Erasmus added: 'Obviously he's a good player, and has got the talent. But at the moment he understands that there's a helluva lot to work on to be a part of the Boks at this stage and [take over] from the world's best [tighthead]. 'But when a guy like [Lions CEO] Rudolf [Straeuli] comes to you and says you can work with him, and Daan says 'come to Bloemfontein' and he goes there… 'From getting on a bicycle, to carrying stuff, doing gym and scrum sessions. It's been going on for three-and-a-half weeks, and even prior to that he's visited. These two weeks [in camp] were great, but those previous three weeks will benefit him even more.'
The South African
10 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
WATCH: Springbok prop's transformation at 'Kamp Daandraad'
One of the coolest stories to come out of the Springbok camp for quite some time is the anecdote shared by Rassie Erasmus around how tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye got himself into the best shape of his career. Once weighing in at roughly 150kg, Ntlabakanye has undergone some serious conditioning work to shed a few excess kilos (around 15kg) to now be in the best possible shape for his Springbok debut. Earlier this week, Erasmus revealed that the 26-year-old has been driving out from Johannesburg to scrum guru Daan Human's farm in Bloemfontein – about a four-hour drive – to work on his game and conditioning. Dubbing it 'Kamp Daandraad', the Springbok coach has also shared videos showing him hard at work on the farm. In another post, Erasmus also shared clips of youngster Jan-Hendrik Wessels also going through a similar training regime. Erasmus said Ntlabakanye's commitment has yielded dramatic physical changes, and emphasised how Human's specialised approach extends beyond traditional alignment camps. 'He's dropped 15 to 18kgs and let's hope he can do what he does at Test match level, which will be great,' Erasmus said. 'Don't want to mention names but we've done it with three or four other players, also in the front row specifically because that's something we struggle to get right in an alignment camp because Daan loves to work the core. 'In Asenathi we've got someone who we see has got an unbelievable touch and feel for the game, just like Neethling [Fouche]; Ox has got an unbelievable feel for the game. 'Obviously he's a phenomenal player, has got the talent, it's the moment he understands that there's a helluva lot to work on to be a part of the Boks at this stage and [take over] from the world's No 1 [tighthead],' Erasmus added. 'When Daan says 'come to Bloemfontein' [it helps] and from getting on a bicycle, carrying stuff there, gym sessions and scrum sessions… It's been going on for three-and-a-half weeks, and even prior to that. 'These two weeks [in camp] were great, but those previous three weeks will benefit him even more.' WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THIS SPECIAL STORY? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
11 hours ago
- Sport
- The South African
Ntlabakanye sheds 18kg at Bok coach's farm to earn Springbok start
Asenathi Ntlabakanye's Springbok debut this weekend is more than a career milestone — it's the result of a two-year transformation that saw the Lions tighthead prop shed almost 20 kilograms and commit to intensive training under scrum coach Daan Human. ADVERTISEMENT Once weighing 158kg, the 26-year-old now starts in the front row for South Africa's first match of the season, rewarded for his relentless work ethic and raw potential. When Ntlabakanye jogs out at Cape Town Stadium to start for the Springboks against the Barbarians, it won't just be the beginning of a new Test season — it'll mark the culmination of a personal transformation two years in the making. Once tipping the scales at 158kg, the Lions tighthead prop now weighs in at a leaner, more mobile 140kg. Still a formidable presence in the front row, Ntlabakanye has earned his Springbok call-up not just through size or scrumming power, but by reshaping his body and mindset to meet international standards. A JOURNEY FORGED IN COMMITMENT Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus revealed the extent of the 26-year-old's dedication ahead of his first appearance in Green and Gold. ADVERTISEMENT 'We started looking at Ntlabakanye two years ago,' Erasmus said. 'We started tracking his battle rates, and it's up there with the other guys.' Recognising the raw potential, Erasmus, along with scrum coach Daan Human, put a plan into motion. With the blessing of the Lions' coaching staff, Ntlabakanye began travelling from Johannesburg to Human's farm near Bloemfontein — a four-hour drive each way — to work on his conditioning, technique, and understanding of the Springbok system. 'Whenever there was a break, he drove to Bloemfontein, went to the farm and dropped 15 to 18 kilograms,' Erasmus said. 'He stayed there for a week at a time and Daan worked with him – with the support of the Lions and their CEO. That level of commitment deserves reward.' NTLABAKANYE PROVES RUGBY IS A GAME FOR ALL SHAPES AND SIZES Erasmus used the opportunity to challenge long-held perceptions about body types in elite rugby. 'There were always comments that players like Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse were too light,' he said. 'But what part of the game don't they man up in? They tackle, they win aerial contests, they beat defenders.' The same principle, Erasmus said, applies to larger players like Ntlabakanye — often judged unfairly by their physique rather than performance. 'Frans Malherbe is not a front-page model, but hell, he can play,' Erasmus quipped. 'He does his job in the front row. Asenathi has an unbelievable touch and feel for the game, just like Neethling Fouché and Ox Nche. We're not just talking about scrummaging.' MORE THAN JUST A PROP Ntlabakanye's rise is not simply a feel-good story of physical change, but a testament to a player willing to put in the work away from the spotlight. His time spent on Human's farm was as much about mental toughness as it was about weight loss and technical refinement. For Erasmus, it's clear: the Springboks aren't just looking for athletes — they're looking for players who buy into the bigger picture. 'Let's hope he can now perform at Test match level,' Erasmus said. 'That will be great.' Regardless of how the match unfolds, Ntlabakanye's inclusion represents the kind of hard-earned opportunity that defines the Springbok culture — one rooted in resilience, honesty, and the will to get better. HOW DO YOU THINK WILL NTLABAKANYE PERFORM IN HIS FIRST SPRINGBOK MATCH? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211. Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
Daily Maverick
a day ago
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
‘Coach soek 'n tighthead' — Ntlabakanye's hard work on Daan Human's farm pays off
Tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye has shed almost 20kg in strategic and brutal fitness sessions on scrum coach Daan Human's farm. Asenathi Ntlabakanye has one of the best names in rugby. He's also potentially one of the best tighthead props in the game, especially now that he has shed about 18kg, according to Bok head coach Rassie Erasmus. The big Lions front-ranker has come down from close to 160kg to a positively svelte 141kg as he readies himself for his Springboks debut against the Barbarians. Ntlabakanye was named in the Bok starting lineup for Saturday's clash against the Baabaas at DHL Stadium in Cape Town, finally making his senior debut for the national team after being a Junior Springbok star. It's a reward for the obvious hard work the prop has put in to make himself even more effective, and it's also an indication of how highly the Boks rate him. Ntlabakanye's weight loss won't affect his ability as a prop because he is still a massive and strong man, but it will improve his mobility and endurance. He should become an even better player as a result. Erasmus knows that the Lions prop has the potential to become a Springbok great, and he and his staff were willing to go the extra mile to help the player become the best version of himself. Ntlabakanye was invited to scrum coach Daan Human's Free State farm near Bloemfontein for some extra work when the Lions were eliminated from the United Rugby Championship before the play-offs. Ntlabakanye had more than three weeks to kill before the Boks gathered, and instead of waiting around in Joburg, he accepted the invitation to Human's farm to work on his fitness and skills. Erasmus did not elaborate deeply on what exactly the sessions on Human's farm entailed, or whether Ntlabakanye ate a high-protein, low-carb diet, but whatever happened, the results have been positive. 'He [Ntlabakanye] went a few times up to Daan's farm and stayed there for a week at a time,' explained Erasmus. 'Daan worked with him, with the Lions coach and CEO's blessing, and whenever there was a break he drove to the farm. 'He's dropped 15 to 18 kilograms, and let's hope he can do what he does at Test match level, which will be great,' said Erasmus. 'I don't want to mention names, but we've done it with three or four other players in the past, also in the front row specifically, because that's something we struggle to get right in an alignment camp, because Daan loves to work the core.' Commitment This commitment to the player, and the player's commitment to the hard work and nurturing in return, once again gives insight into the healthy state of the Bok environment. Players are willing to do everything it takes to become a regular member of the Bok set-up and the coaches are willing to give everything they have to equip the players. In the case of Ntlabakanye, in particular, it's also the commitment to a longer-term vision for him and an indication that injured tighthead Frans Malherbe might be out for much longer than expected. It could even be a tacit indication that Malherbe might not return at all, or not return as the same player due to a back injury. The Boks are clearly backing Ntlabakanye as a medium- to long-term replacement 'When we started looking at Asenathi two years ago, we tracked his actual 'battle' stats, and they are up there with almost anyone,' said Erasmus. 'We then got him in with the help of Rudolf [Straeuli] and the Lions, and we said we've got to get this right.' Ntlabakanye's dimensions have led to some criticism but the Bok coach came to his defence, citing other examples of players considered to be the wrong size for the game. 'If you look at players in the past, like Cheslin [Kolbe], people used to say he's too light and then you go and say, 'What area of the game does Cheslin not man up, or Kurt-Lee [Arendse]?' They make their tackles and tackle guys back,' said Erasmus. 'And it can be the other way around for one of the heavy guys; you look at a guy like Frans [Malherbe] — nobody would say he's a front-page model or something like that, but hell, Franna can play! He's solid in the scrum, gets up and makes his tackles … maybe he's not the most athletic guy. 'In Asenathi we've got someone who we see has got an unbelievable touch and feel for the game. 'Obviously he's a phenomenal player, has got the talent … understands that there's a helluva lot to work on to be a part of the Boks at this stage and [take over] from the world's No 1 [tighthead]. 'And when Daan said 'come to Bloemfontein' to work, he did. Getting on a bicycle, carrying stuff there, gym sessions and scrum sessions… It went on for three-and-a-half weeks.
