From Varsity Cup to the Springbok squad — Rassie Erasmus says Makhaza will have his day in the green and gold
The 23-year-old from Harrismith in the Free State is studying for a degree in psychology and social development at the University of Cape Town where he has also been an amateur rugby player for Ikeys in the Varsity Cup.
A month ago, Rassie Erasmus called Makhaza to invite him to the Springbok alignment camp, but he thought it was a prank call at first.
Ikey's had won the Varsity Cup and Makhaza was the Player of the Tournament, as he was last year, too. Erasmus has been watching and was so impressed with the wing's performances — yes, Big Brother Rassie watches everything — that he wanted to find out more.
'Macky,' as he is known to his teammates, duly attended the camp, and Erasmus has reflected on the newcomer's participation.
'It's been a pleasure to work with him,' Erasmus said.
'He's consistently been the top Varsity Cup player, and especially in terms of point scoring, probably one of the best in the competition's history.
'You sometimes wonder, is this one of those players who slipped through the cracks? It's been good to see what he brings.'
Hashtags

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


The South African
14 minutes ago
- The South African
When will Springboks name Rugby Championship squad?
The Springboks have already used an extended squad so far this season, with Rassie Erasmus expanding the group to 46 players for the first three Tests of the year, but this will be trimmed down for the Rugby Championship. After this weekend's encounter, the Springbok players will be given a few days off before a reduced squad of 35 will be named for the start of the build up to the Rugby Championship. The first Rugby Championship clash for the Springboks takes place on 16 August, but some senior players may well be rested for the first two home games against Australia. So it's worth keeping in mind that there could be some surprise omissions in the reduced squad, although there should be a number of leading players who then return for the blockbuster away games against New Zealand. 'We are fairly happy,' Erasmus commented after the 45-0 victory over Italy on Saturday. 'The Barbarians game we didn't concede a lot of points in a tough rainy game there – we got a 50 there, we got 42 last week and 45 here, and only conceded 24 points against Italy and, overall, a lot of the guys got caps. 'So, hopefully after the Georgia game a lot of the guys will have had two caps, and we will have won all four matches, and we can pick a nice settled, balanced team for the Rugby Championship.' Whatever the case may be, the first Rugby Championship is likely to be named in the final week of July. SPRINGBOKS' REMAINING 2025 TEST SCHEDULE AS THE RUGBY CHAMPIONSHIP APPROACHES: 19 July: vs Georgia, Mbombela Stadium, Nelspruit. Kick off: 17:10. 16 August: vs Australia, Ellis Park, Johannesburg. Kick off: 17:10. 23 August: vs Australia, DHL Stadium, Cape Town. Kick off: 17:10. 6 September: vs New Zealand, Auckland. Kick off: 09:05. 13 September: vs New Zealand, Wellington. Kick off: 09:05. 27 September: vs Argentina, Kings Park, Durban. Kick off: 17:10. 4 October: vs Argentina, London. Kick off: 15:00. 8 November: vs France, Paris. Kick off: TBD. 15 November: vs Italy, Turin. Kick off: TBD. 22 November: vs Ireland, Dublin. Kick off: 19:40. 29 November: vs Wales, Cardiff. Kick off: 17:10. 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
2 hours ago
- The Citizen
Rassie Erasmus: Springboks' bold tactics are for South Africa, not the world
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus has fiercely defended his team's recent innovations, saying they do it for South Africa and no one else. The Citizen reports that speaking this week ahead of Saturday's one-off Test against Georgia in Mbombela, Erasmus was asked about the outcry over two of the Boks' latest moves — the short kick-off to force a scrum and the midfield 'fake lineout' to set up a driving maul. Various pundits and ex-players have voiced their opinions on these tactics, with many outside South Africa saying they go against the spirit of the game. Italian coach Gonzalo Quesada described the short kick-off as disrespectful. The Boks faced Italy in Gqeberha last weekend, where these plays were used for the first time. 'Rugby belongs to nobody' 'I don't want to sound arrogant, but rugby belongs to nobody. It isn't England's game, or France's game, or New Zealand's game, or Japan's game. Everybody plays differently and there are rules and laws in place,' said Erasmus. 'When Jannie de Beer kicked five drop goals in 1999 was that not in the spirit of the game? When the French ran the ball from everywhere, was that not in the spirit of the game? If you put the ball in skew at the scrum and take the contest away, is that against the spirit of the game? 'So we want scrums in a game and if we can get it (legally) we will. We don't put a ball in skew just to get the scrum over and done with, we want the scrum. We could have kicked the ball out directly (against Italy at the start of the Test in Gqeberha) and had a scrum anyway and nobody would have known. 'But we don't want to hide that from the world. And it's not about us doing it to the world, it's about what lifts us, what gets us up for the game and we won't hide away from that. 'We wanted the first scrum and we wanted to show it, rather than kick the ball out on the full and everyone thinks it was an accident. The week before we couldn't contest in the scrum (on Italy's ball) because the ball was fed straight to the eighthman.' Against Italy, the short kick-off backfired, as an early engagement at the scrum gave the visitors a free kick. However, the midfield 'fake lineout' worked twice, with two tries scored after it was used. 'Trying things out' Erasmus said trying new things means some will work and others won't, but it would not discourage them from innovating. 'Even though it didn't work out for us (this time) it doesn't matter. There are many things that we try that don't work out (at first) and we take that on the chin,' he said. 'There are lineout moves where we get outsmarted. New Zealand had some fantastic lineout moves in the old days, where they would have a back jumper and then throw it to the middle where a guy like Tony Woodcock would score a try. 'It was magnificent. But then there was the early jump in the lineout, but you don't moan about that. You say well that's creative, well done.' Erasmus added: 'If the French kick the ball long into your in-goal area and you just kick the ball out, is that against the spirit of the game? 'I don't know who the people are that decide what the spirit of the game is, and who owns the rights to that. 'We are doing it for South Africa; we aren't doing it for the rest of the world, to say if it is right or wrong. As long as we are playing within the laws of the game (it is fine). 'It's a bit frustrating. If they want us to be a dumb, boring side that just bullies all game, I don't think our people want that type of game back. So it's not against any laws, rules or protocols. As long as we in South Africa are happy, it's all good.'

IOL News
3 hours ago
- IOL News
Ntokozo Makhaza's rapid rise: From Varsity Cup to Springboks in remarkable season
Ntokozo Makhaza's 2025 season has been extraordinary, transitioning from Varsity Cup Player of the Year to signing with the Cheetahs and joining the Springbok alignment camp, marking his rapid rise in South African rugby. Picture: Itumeleng English/Independent Newspapers The Cheetahs have since signed Makhaza as he makes the transition to professional rugby player, while putting his studies on the back burner. After being named Varsity Cup Player of the Year and Backline Player of the Year for the second consecutive year, the big unions began to take notice. At the beginning of the year, the 23-year-old backline player was turning in top performances in the Varsity Cup . Ntokozo Makhaza 's rise to the top of SA rugby in 2025 has been nothing short of meteoric. Makhaza's Dream Season: From Varsity Cup Victory to Springbok Alignment Camp Makhaza was also included in the Springbok alignment camp ahead of the new season, showing that he is already on the radar of coach Rassie Erasmus. Though his Springbok debut may still be some distance away, Makhaza is now determined to try and make that happen as soon as possible. 'Any rugby player's dream in South Africa is to play for the Springboks, it's a huge goal of mine,' Makhaza told 'After having a taste of the alignment camp and training sessions in Johannesburg, I am attracted to that [Springbok] culture and I just want to make sure I fit in the system. I want to make it.' 'I haven't had any calls as to when I might be returning but am very hopeful and I am ready because anything can happen.' As for the whirlwind season that has been 2025, Makhaza said: 'Yoh! I would say it has been a dream season,' Makhaza beams. 'Everything just fell together… winning the Varsity Cup with UCT, getting player of the tournament, joining the Cheetahs, and then being called into the Boks camp it's surreal. I'm just grateful. I know many people wish they were in this position. I'm taking it all in.' @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport