Latest news with #NtokozoMakhaza
IOL News
7 hours ago
- Sport
- IOL News
New faces in Springbok squad: Nine uncapped players named for 2025 Tests
University of Cape Town rookie winger Ntokozo Makhaza has been called up to the Springbok squad ahead of the 2025 Test season. Image: BackpagePix Nine uncapped players were named in the first Springbok squad for the 2025 international season as Bok head coach Rassie Erasmus selected a large group of 54 players for the opening Tests. The squad that attended the second alignment camp in Cape Town last month remains the same, with five other Boks not selected due to injuries. In total, Erasmus opted for 30 forwards and 24 backline players. The world champions start their season on the 28th of June against the Barbarians in Cape Town, before facing Italy in back-to-back Tests in Pretoria (5 July) and Gqeberha (12 July). They will end the mid-year matches with a one-off Test against Georgia in Mbombela (19 July). The nine uncapped players are Scarlets' hooker Marnus van der Merwe, Lions duo, prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye and flanker Renzo du Plessis, Bulls utility forward Cobus Wiese, the Stormers' Neethling Fouché, Vincent Tshituka and Ethan Hooker of the Sharks, Northampton Saints' eighth man Juarno Augustus, and Varsity Cup start Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT Tigers). All the available players will join Erasmus and his coaches in camp on Monday 8 June in Johannesburg, while a staggered approach will be taken with those still in action in their respective club competitions. The Boks will start their on-field training on Monday already. 'We were very pleased with the two Springbok alignment camps we hosted, and we are excited to have the luxury of announcing a squad with so much depth and talent,' Erasmus said in a statement. 'Having an expanded squad will not only allow us to have productive training sessions, but it will also bode well for the younger players in the group to learn from the senior players, many of whom are Rugby World Cup champions. 'We take pride in offering talented young players a chance to work first-hand with the coaches and to expose them to standards at international level, and we are excited to see them showcase their skills at the camp.'
The Citizen
7 hours ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Surprises in Rassie's first Bok squad of 2025, nine uncapped players included
Nine uncapped players have been included in the Springboks' first squad of the season, which sees five players miss out due to injury. Ntokozo Makhaza of UCT Ikeys has been included in the first Springboks squad of the season. Picture: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images Varsity Cup player Ntokozo Makhaza is one of nine uncapped players selected for Rassie Erasmus' Springbok training squad for the opening stages of the international season, which kicks off on 28 June against the Barbarians, followed by the Castle Lager Incoming Series. The Springbok boss named the same 54 players who attended the squad's second national alignment camp in Cape Town, including 31 Rugby World Cup players. Thirty forwards and 24 backs are in the mix. The nine uncapped players are Marnus van der Merwe, Neethling Fouche, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Cobus Wiese, Renzo du Plessis, Vincent Tshituka, Juarno Augustus, Ethan Hooker, and Ntokozo Makhaza. The available players, which include the full Japan-based contingent following the conclusion of their season, will assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday, 8 June, and begin their on-field preparations on Monday. The remainder of the players will join the squad as they complete their club commitments. 'We were very pleased with the two Springbok alignment camps we hosted, and we are excited to have the luxury of announcing a squad with so much depth and talent,' Erasmus said, adding he took pride in offering talented young players a chance as they built towards the 2027 World Cup in Australia. Springbok squad: Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Renzo du Plessis (Lions), Jean-Luc du Preez (Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Neethling Fouche (Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (both Sharks), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu (both Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Marco van Staden (Bulls), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets), Jan-Hendrik Wessels (Bulls), Cobus Wiese (Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks). Backs: Lukhanyo Am (Sharks), Kurt-Lee Arendse (Bulls), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi (both Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker (all Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier), Morne van den Berg, Edwilll van der Merwe (both Emirates Lions), Damian Willemse (Stormers), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks). Players not considered due to injury: Frans Malherbe, Elrigh Louw, Ben-Jason Dixon, Deon Fourie and Trevor Nyakane.
The Herald
26-05-2025
- Sport
- The Herald
Boks must stay ahead of chasing pack, says Rassie
'The coaches have been working tirelessly to improve our structures to ensure that we can improve on our performances last season. 'It was great to see how the players responded to the adaptations and changes we have made to our structures. 'We have said time and time again that we have to continue to evolve to remain a force at the top level of the game. 'SA are under no illusions about the challenging season ahead, we are pleased with the progress we have been making off the field, and we are really looking forward to the season ahead.' Erasmus said it was exciting to have new players Vincent Tshituka, Ntokozo Makhaza and Juarno Augustus (who tuned in virtually from England) in the group. 'They are all very talented players, and it was evident how proud they were to have this opportunity to rub shoulders with this group of players, some of whom have been with us since 2018, and to learn from them and the coaches.' In 2025, the Boks will welcome Italy, Georgia, Australia and Argentina to SA. Italy will visit SA for the first time since 2013 when they face the Boks on July 5 and 12. A week later, the Boks will take on Georgia on home soil for the second time, in line with World Rugby's plans to expose emerging nations to top-tier opposition. The Lelos played one Test against SA in Pretoria in 2021 as a prelude to the Covid-impacted tour of the British & Irish Lions. The Boks will start the defence of their Castle Lager Rugby Championship crown against the Wallabies, who host the British & Irish Lions in July, on consecutive weekends in August. Sam Cane, the All Blacks' 2023 Rugby World Cup captain, will be joined by Ireland's Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray when the Barbarians and Boks lock horns in SA for the first time. It also be the first time the three players have represented the Barbarians and wear the famous black and white shirt. Springbok home fixtures in 2025: Non-Test: June 28: SA v Barbarian at the DHL Stadium, Cape Town. Tests: July 5: SA vs Italy — Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria. July 12: SA vs Italy — Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha. July 19: SA vs Georgia — Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit. Rugby Championship: August 16: SA vs Australia — Emirates Airline Park, Johannesburg. August 23: SA vs Australia — DHL Stadium, Cape Town. September 27: SA vs Argentina — Hollywoodbets Kings Park, Durban. The Herald
The South African
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Rassie Erasmus: It was great to meet Springbok newcomers
Earlier this month it was confirmed that Juarno Augustus, Vincent Tshituka, and Ntokozo Makhaza had been invited to their first Springbok alignment camp, which has just concluded this week. Augustus, who was named the World Rugby U20 Player of the Year after a sterling performance for the Junior Boks in Georgia in 2017, was one of the newcomers who joined a virtual session. Meanwhile, Varsity Cup star Ntokozo Makhaza earned a surprise call-up along with Congo-born Vincent Tshituka, who has just qualified to play for South Africa. The Springboks will launch their 2025 season on Saturday, 28 June against the Barbarians in Cape Town, before embarking on the Incoming Series and Rugby Championship, and will wrap up the season with the traditional end-of-the-year tour. 'One could sense the excitement and enthusiasm among the players and coaches to be back together, and to align on our objectives and plans for the season,' said Erasmus. 'It was also great to have the new additions to the squad, Vincent Tshituka and Ntokozo Makhaza, at the camp, as well as Juarno Augustus, who was one of the players invited to join online, where they were exposed to our structures for the first time. 'They gelled in quickly, and it was encouraging to see how they soaked up the information presented to them.' Players invited to Springbok alignment camp in Cape Town (in alphabetical order): Forwards: Renzo du Plessis (Emirates Lions), Eben Etzebeth (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Neethling Fouche (DHL Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Vodacom Bulls), Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Wilco Louw (Vodacom Bulls), Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu (both Hollywoodbets Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (DHL Stormers), Ox Nche (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Vodacom Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Emirates Lions), Gerhard Steenekamp (Vodacom Bulls), Vincent Tshituka (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Vodacom Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks). Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi (all Hollywoodbets Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (DHL Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker (all Hollywoodbets Sharks), Quan Horn (Emirates Lions), Willie le Roux (Vodacom Bulls), Manie Libbok (DHL Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Hollywoodbets Sharks), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT), Canan Moodie (Vodacom Bulls), Morne van den Berg, Edwilll van der Merwe (both Emirates Lions), Damian Willemse (DHL Stormers), Grant Williams (Hollywoodbets Sharks). Players invited to virtual Springbok alignment camp (in alphabetical order): Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Jean-Luc du Preez (both Sale Sharks), Pieter-Steph du Toit (Toyota Verblitz), Thomas du Toit (Bath), Jean Kleyn (Munster), Malcolm Marx (Kubota Spears), Franco Mostert (Honda Heat), Kwagga Smith (Shizuoka Blue Revs), RG Snyman (Leinster), Marnus van der Merwe (Scarlets). Backs: Kurt-Lee Arendse (DynaBoars), Damian de Allende (Wild Knights), Faf de Klerk (Canon Eagles), Cheslin Kolbe (Tokyo Sungoliath), Jesse Kriel (Canon Eagles), Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers), Cobus Reinach (Montpellier). 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.
News24
21-05-2025
- Sport
- News24
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.
