Latest news with #VincentTshituka
IOL News
4 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Sharks draw confidence from Loftus wins ahead of URC semi-final
Vincent Tshituka embraces Fez Mbatha after the Sharks beat Munster in the URC quarter-final this past weekend. Photo: BackpagePix Image: Backpagepix The Sharks will have no fear when they travel to Loftus Versfeld for the United Rugby Championship (URC) semi-final on Saturday, thanks to their happy memories of winning their last two matches at the Bulls' fortress. In sport, it can be argued that what happened in the past often has little bearing on the present. However, the collective memory banks at the Sharks include a URC win in Pretoria in February and a heroic Currie Cup victory last September. The latter win was a significant psychological blow to the Bulls, who had set their sights on winning the Currie Cup. Instead, they were beaten on home turf by a Sharks side that went on to clinch the trophy a week later at Ellis Park, against the luckless Lions. This week's URC semi-final is not comparable to an international team travelling to Eden Park in Auckland, where the All Blacks have remained unbeaten for 100 games. That is a proper mental obstacle for visiting teams. In contrast, most of the Sharks team travelling to Loftus featured in that bizarre Currie Cup win late last year. It was big man Trevor Nyakane who scored a try deep into extra time to force a 40-40 draw. The Sharks progressed to the final on the technicality that they had scored six tries to the Bulls' four. Nyakane — still at the Sharks but currently recovering from a long-term injury — never scored a try in his three seasons at the Bulls, but crossed the line in that match to silence Loftus. His famous post-match dance jig added insult to injury. After securing the Currie Cup title, the Sharks went on to win the Challenge Cup. Head coach John Plumtree later admitted that the season-defining moment for his team was the Currie Cup victory at Loftus, where they were reduced to 12 players at one point.
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.
The Citizen
21-05-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Springboks to do final brush ups ahead of international season
Three players - Vincent Tshituka, Juarno Augustus and Ntokozo Makhaza - have been invited to a Bok camp for the first time. The Springboks are set to get their final bit of preparation ahead of the international season underway on Thursday when they link up for their second and final alignment camp in Cape Town. The two-day camp will see 54 players, 36 in person and 18 from Japan and Europe online, attending a series of boardroom sessions as the Boks gear up for a busy international campaign that kicks off against the Barbarians in the Mother City at the end of next month. Most of the players attending this alignment camp, as well as a number of others not selected, will likely feature for the Boks during the incoming series against Italy and Georgia, the Rugby Championship and end-of-year-tour to the UK and Europe. There are three first-time invitees to a camp, with the Sharks' Congolese-born Vincent Tshituka, who recently received his South African ID clearing his illegibility, being rewarded for a stellar season with his call-up. Juarno Augustus has finally received what many will feel is a long overdue call-up, having impressed immensely for Northampton Saints over the years, and with him moving to Ulster from next season he will be firmly on the Bok management's watch list in the URC going forward. Surprise selection Bok coach Rassie Erasmus is well known for his surprise selections, and the big one for the second camp was that of Ntokozo Makhaza, who enjoyed a superb Varsity Cup campaign leading UCT Ikeys to the title and being named player of the tournament. But the 23-year-old Makhaza has yet to play rugby professionally, with him having signed for the Cheetahs ahead of this year's Currie Cup kicking off in July, which will be his first taste of professional rugby. Other than the three new invites, five other players attending the camp are uncapped, namely Lions players Renzo du Plessis and Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Stormers prop Neethling Fouche, Bulls utility forward Cobus Wiese, and hooker Marnus van der Merwe who has been impressing for Scarlets. A number of these players are likely to get a golden chance to make their Bok debut in the incoming series in July, as the Bok management could give a large number of fringe players a chance against the Italians and Georgians. Players who have been out of the Bok setup for over a year will also be in the mix, with Lood de Jager and Faf de Klerk, who both missed the entirety of last season through injury, and Jean-Luc du Preez, who has struggled to establish himself over the years, back on the radar.
The South African
17-05-2025
- Sport
- The South African
Springboks: Who are the eight uncapped players?
A group of 54 local and overseas-based players have been named to attend the Springboks' upcoming alignment camp later this month. The group include eight uncapped players, namely Juarno Augustus, Vincent Tshituka, Ntokozo Makhaza, Renzo du Plessis, Neethling Fouche, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, Marnus van der Merwe, and Cobus Wiese. Juarno Augustus: A standout player for the Northampton Saints this season, Augustus now has experience on his side, and could provide a very good option at No 8 considering the injuries to other players in this position. Vincent Tshituka: The Congolese-born Tshituka recently received his South African ID, clearing him to represent South Africa, and he will add some much-needed depth at blindside flank. Ntokozo Makhaza: The Varsity Cup superstar was a bit of a bolter in the squad selection, but he fully deserves his call-up, and will add another exciting option on the wing. Renzo du Plessis: Another rising star in South African rugby, the dynamic loose forward is in the mould of Kwagga Smith, and it stands to reason that the Springboks will be keen to have a closer look at him. Neethling Fouche: The Stormers powerhouse prop will add important back up at tighthead, particularly as Frans Malherbe recovers from injury. He is due for his first Test cap. Asenathi Ntlabakanye: A 145kg giant, his physical dimensions set him apart from the pack, and it would be interesting to see whether the Springbok conditioning coaches could see an opportunity to mould the youngster into an even more formidable weapon in the front row. Marnus van der Merwe: Another position where the Springboks need to build depth is at hooker, and Van der Merwe is deserving of consideration after impressing for Welsh club Scarlets. Cobus Wiese: With the ability to play at lock and loose forward, the 27-year-old boasts all the physical attributes to make an impact for the Springboks in some of the Tests this season when experimental selection is likely to come into consideration. 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. Meanwhile, here is an important reminder on ticket sales for the Springbok men's game against Argentina in the Rugby Championship at Twickenham in October. Ticket sales Tickets are on sale via and England Rugby, starting from just £55* for adults and £28* for Under-16s. (*booking fees apply)
