Latest news with #Tshituka
The Citizen
24-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Who are the likely SA URC Player of the Season contenders?
With the URC winding down an SA URC Player of the Season will be named over the coming month. Bulls prop Wilco Louw has been in immense form this season and will likely be one of the front runners for the SA URC Player of the Season award. Picture: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images The 2024-25 United Rugby Championship (URC) season is winding to its conclusion, with the playoffs set to be battled out, and the Bulls, Sharks and Stormers all in the running for the title. A large number of players have impressed for all of South Africa's franchises over their respective campaigns, even for the struggling Lions, and an SA URC Player of the Season will be announced in the coming month. Here are our top nominees for the award, one from each union, and one honourable mention, who will likely be in the running to pick up the prestigious title. Bulls Wilco Louw The heavyweight Bulls front ranker has arguably been the most destructive scrummager in the URC this season. Louw has powered an imperious Bulls pack that has smashed all before them on their way to second on the URC log and a home playoff. He has played in 16 of the Bulls 18 pool games this season, starting 15 of them, and he will be hoping to add another three starts to that tally and lead the Bulls to the final and hopefully the title by the end of the campaign. His form should see him stay firmly in the Bok fold that he returned to last year after a few years out. Honourable mention: Cameron Hanekom It has been another barnstorming season for the young looseforward, after his breakout campaign last season, and if his form is anything to go by, he should be getting plenty of chances to add to the one Springbok cap he picked up last year. Stormers Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu The incredible impact that rising star Feinberg-Mngomezulu has had on the Stormers is shown by him arguably being their best player this season, despite the fact that he missed over half of it due to injury. He missed the start before returning in December, where he suffered three injuries in three games, before being out for another spell. Since making his return in March he has been incredible, picking up two man-of-the-match awards, scored a hattrick against Connacht, and has made the Stormers no10 jersey his own, which will especially please Bok coach Rassie Erasmus. Honourable mention: Evan Roos It has been another top season for the Stormers loooseforward, but one feels his Bok chances may be running out. Since he blew the lights out in the inaugural URC season, he has been in the national fold but unable to establish himself. He needs to take this momentum into the coming international season. Sharks Vincent Tshituka This could end up being his best professional season if utility forward Tshituka can make a sensational step up to the Springboks. He mightily impressed at the Lions before making the switch to the Sharks in 2022, where he has been a strong presence in their setup. This season has seen Tshituka go to the next level, covering lock regularly, impressing at his usual position as flank, and has taken over the captaincy reins when injuries of resting protocols have kept the regular leaders out. His call-up to the second Bok alignment camp is in recognition of that effort, and having finally received his SA ID he now has a chance to make a big step up. Honourable mention: Ethan Hooker The young gun has impressed again, as he did in a breakout campaign for the Sharks last season. His form saw him in the Springbok mix, although he didn't make his debut, but another strong campaign, backed up by him showing some good utility value this season, may be what is needed to get him in the door for his debut. Lions Morne van den Berg It has been a great season personally during a difficult campaign for his team for the Lions scrumhalf and he will hope that his efforts have not gone unnoticed. Van Den Berg has had to be a solid stable feature during a tough time for halfbacks at the union. He has had to play with four different flyhalves regularly over the campaign, after Sanele Nohamba left, he has had to play alongside Kade Wolhuter, Sam Francis and Gianni Lombard. But despite all the turmoil he has consistently impressed, and hopefully he can add to his two Bok caps later this year. Honourable mention: Edwill van der Merwe The departing Lions winger will leave a gaping hole in the team that will be incredibly hard to close. Since arriving from the Stormers in 2021 he has been arguably the Lions most consistent performer, and after another top season leaves for the Sharks on a high. He will also hope to add to his one Bok cap.
The Star
23-05-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Springboks call up Juarno Augustus and rookie Ntokozo Makhaza for second alignment camp
Leighton Koopman | Published 1 week ago Powerful eighth man Juarno Augustus will join the Springboks for his first alignment camp after being called up by head coach Rassie Erasmus alongside Sharks utility forward Vincent Tshituka and a surprise rookie in Ntokozo Makhaza. Augustus, affectionately known as Trokkie, has been outstanding for the Northampton Saints and there were increased calls for him to get a Bok look-in, while Congolese-born Tshituka finally received his South African ID which makes him eligible for the national side. After impressing in the Varsity Cup for the eventual winners, the UCT Tigers, Makhaza gets the nod ahead of linking up with the Cheetahs, for whom he will play during the Currie Cup later this year. The group for the alignment camp, scheduled for 22 and 23 May in Cape Town, includes 54 local and foreign-based players. Thirty-six of them will join in person, while the overseas players will link up virtually, depending on their availability. Augustus, Tshituka, and Makhaza will be joined by tighthead props Neethling Fouché (Stormers) and Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Bulls utility forward Cobus Wiese, flanker Renzo du Plessis (Lions) and the Scarlets' Marnus van der Merwe as uncapped players. Five players weren't considered due to injury. The camp will include a series of boardroom sessions as the world champions prepare for the international season, which kicks off with a first-ever home game against the Barbarians on Saturday 28 June in Cape Town. 'This is an exciting bunch of players who have all made their mark in their respective competitions this season, and we are thrilled to invite a few talented new players to the camp,' Erasmus said in a statement. 'They have all made a strong statement in big competitions under immense pressure at times, so we are looking forward to working with them. It's always difficult to reduce the size of the squad with the abundance of talent in South African rugby, but we were limited in the number of players we could select for the camp, and we are confident that we have sufficient cover in all positions within this group.' According to the coach, their plans for the start of the season are at an advanced stage. Apart from the clash with the Baabaas, the Boks will also play incoming Tests against Georgia and Italy, before heading into the Rugby Championship. 'The coaches and management staff have been working around the clock to ensure that we are as prepared as possible for what will be a challenging season, and all the operational and logistical aspects are in place for everything to run as smoothly as possible, so we are excited for the season ahead.' Players invited to the Springbok alignment camp in Cape Town: Forwards: Renzo du Plessis (Lions), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Neethling Fouché (Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (both Sharks), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu (both Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks). Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi (all Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker (all Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe (both Lions), Damian Willemse (Stormers), Grant Williams (Sharks). Players invited to virtual Springbok alignment camp: Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Jean-Luc du Preez (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).
The Citizen
15-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
‘Trokkie' barges down Bok door
Powerhouse No 8 Juarno Augustus earns a first call-up from Rassie Erasmus, as one of 54 local and overseas-based players to attend the second Springbok alignment camp of 2025. Augustus will join Sharks forward Vincent Tshituka and Varsity Cup-winning points machine Ntokozo Makhaza at their first national team indaba at the end of the month. The camps will take place in person in Cape Town for local players, and virtually for players based outside South Africa, next Thursday and Friday respectively. Thirty-six players will attend the in-person camp, with 18 players currently plying their trade abroad in Japan and the northern hemisphere joining virtually, training schedule permitting. Augustus, who was named the World Rugby U20 Player of the Year after a powerful performances for the Junior Boks in Georgia in 2017, has been a standout player for the Northampton Saints this season, while the DRC-born Tshituka recently received his South African ID, clearing him to represent South Africa. Winger Makhaza, meanwhile, will join the Cheetahs for the Currie Cup, after being named 2025 Varsity Cup Player of the Tournament, playing for the eventual champions, the UCT Ikeys. The group includes eight uncapped players – Augustus, Tshituka, Makhaza, Renzo du Plessis, Neethling Fouche, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Marnus van der Merwe, and Cobus Wiese. Five players were not considered for the alignment camp due to injuries: Frans Malherbe, Elrigh Louw, Ben-Jason Dixon, Deon Fourie and Trevor Nyakane. The camp will include a series of boardroom sessions over the two days as the Boks gear up for the international season, which kicks off on June 28 with the first home game between South Africa and the Barbarians. This will be followed by the Incoming Series, The Rugby Championship and the traditional end-of-the-year tour in November. 'This is an exciting bunch of players who have all made their mark in their respective competitions this season, and we are thrilled to invite a few talented new players to the camp,' Erasmus said. 'They have all made a strong statement in big competitions under immense pressure at times, so we are looking forward to working with them. 'It's always difficult to reduce the size of the squad with the abundance of talent in South African rugby, but we were limited in the number of players we could select for the camp, and we are confident that we have sufficient cover in all positions within this group,' he added. 'The coaches and management staff have been working around the clock to ensure that we are as prepared as possible for what will be a challenging season, and all the operational and logistical aspects are in place for everything to run as smoothly as possible, so we are excited for the season ahead.' Players invited to Springbok alignment camp in Cape Town: Forwards: Renzo du Plessis (Lions), Eben Etzebeth (Sharks), Neethling Fouche (Stormers), Cameron Hanekom (Bulls), Vincent Koch, Siya Kolisi (both Sharks), Wilco Louw (Bulls), Bongi Mbonambi, Ntuthuko Mchunu (both Sharks), Salmaan Moerat (Stormers), Ox Nche (Sharks), Ruan Nortje (Bulls), Asenathi Ntlabakanye (Lions), Gerhard Steenekamp (Bulls), Vincent Tshituka (Sharks), Marco van Staden, Jan-Hendrik Wessels, Cobus Wiese (all Bulls), Jasper Wiese (Urayasu D-Rocks). Backs: Lukhanyo Am, Andre Esterhuizen, Aphelele Fassi (all Sharks), Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu (Stormers), Jaden Hendrikse, Jordan Hendrikse, Ethan Hooker (all Sharks), Quan Horn (Lions), Willie le Roux (Bulls), Manie Libbok (Stormers), Makazole Mapimpi (Sharks), Ntokozo Makhaza (UCT), Canan Moodie (Bulls), Morne van den Berg, Edwill van der Merwe (both Lions), Damian Willemse (Stormers), Grant Williams (Sharks). Players invited to virtual Springbok alignment camp: Forwards: Juarno Augustus (Northampton Saints), Lood de Jager (Wild Knights), Jean-Luc du Preez (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). The post Trokkie barges down Bok door appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
IOL News
04-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Etzebeth back, Tshituka in soaring form for Sharks as he tops URC lineout stats ahead of Ospreys clash
Vincent Tshituka Vincent Tshituka has impressed in the lineouts and across the pitch for the Sharks this season. Photo: BackpagePix Image: Backpagepix The Sharks will welcome back Eben Etzebeth for Friday night's United Rugby Championship match against the Ospreys in Durban (7pm kick-off). But while the Bok enforcer was missed last week in Belfast, Vincent Tshituka proved a more than able replacement in the second row. The elder of the Tshituka brothers finished high in the forward statistics from round 16 of the tournament and topped some of them. Tshituka was supposed to start on the flank against Ulster, but not long before kick-off, Etzebeth was ruled out of the match because of flu. That required Vincent to take his place, while brother Manu joined the match-day squad on the bench. The Sharks recovered from 0-19 after a poor first half to win the game 22-19, with both Tshitukas enhancing their reputations. The 26-year-old Vincent ruled the lineouts in Belfast, and also across the board in last weekend's fixtures. The flank-cum-lock, won eight lineouts – the most in the round. He also topped the stats for most line-out steals with two. So far in the URC, Tshituka has stolen 10 lineouts. Tshituka's versatility has not gone unnoticed by Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus. He wanted to invite Vincent and Manu to the alignment camp in Cape Town in March, but discovered that they did not have South African ID cards. This has subsequently been resolved, and the brothers now have full South African citizenship. That makes them eligible for the Boks. Vincent's ability to move between the second and back rows is not unlike that of Franco Mostert. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Mostert turns 35 later this year, and Erasmus will have his eyes out for a like-for-like replacement, and Tshituka is on his list. Tshituka will return to his favoured No 7 jersey for this week's penultimate match of the league phase of the URC, with Etzebeth over his flu and in training this week. The Sharks will be keen to get Etzebeth going. Since suffering a serious concussion on December 7 last year, against Exeter in the Champions Cup, he has played just one match. That was a few weeks ago against Edinburgh, his comeback match after five months on the sidelines. That period also included a hamstring injury picked up at the Bok alignment camp. With Etzebeth surely starting against the Ospreys, the Sharks' pack will be world-class. There will be double World Cup-winning Boks in Ox Nche, Bongi Mbonambi, Vincent Koch, Etzebeth, and Siya Kolisi, and a capped Bok in Jason Jenkins. Vincent Tshituka and James Venter or Phepsi Buthelezi will complete a pack that should be way too much for the Welshmen. The Sharks' forwards have been consistently good for a while, but there appears to be a disjoint between forwards and the equally pedigreed backline. Game-drivers, Jaden and Jordan Hendrikse, have not been at their best, and coach John Plumtree needs them to regain their best form because time is running out before the playoffs. The Sharks are playing well within themselves, and must find their rhythm and cohesion against the Ospreys. They finish the league stage the following week, at home against the Scarlets, by which stage Plumtree wants the Sharks machine to be purring.
