Latest news with #NtokozoMakhaza
The Citizen
4 days ago
- Sport
- The Citizen
Cheetahs celebrate 130 years in style … but they need bigger and better competition
The Cheetahs have contributed greatly to the history of South African rugby and need to be better recognised by the governing body. 'Welcome to the Republic of the Free State, officially the 11th best rugby nation in the world,' Cheetahs backline coach Ruan Pienaar proudly declared in welcoming guests from title sponsor Toyota into the Vodacom Stadium dressing room last Friday night. The jubilant group of players and team management roared with delight in response to this tongue-in-cheek yet food-for-thought statement. They had just held on bravely to beat Georgia, number 11 in the rugby world rankings, 24-20 in Bloemfontein. It was a warm-up match for the full-strength Georgia national team before playing the Springboks in a one-off Test in Mbombela. A remarkable achievement for a side perennially overlooked for URC participation. On a chilly Free State winter's evening, the young Cheetahs team produced the kind of rugby the union is renowned for. The kind of free-flowing running rugby that earned them loyal support around the country and usually resulted in many more fans crawling from the closet before big finals. Cheetah debutant winger Ntokozo Makhaza scored the winning try – his second of the night – late in the second half to send the 11,000-strong crowd into ecstasy. It was a rugby festival in true Bloem style that included a music show before the match, the customary Harley-Davidsons before kick-off and a half-time kicking contest which to win requires not only clearing the bar, but landing the ball on the back of a bakkie. Talk about a tough crowd. Cheetahs fans are desperate for more international rugby, as seen here during they good days of Super Rugby in 2017. Picture: Lee Warren/Gallo Images Decorated history Giving the occasion additional impetus was that it coincided with the union's 130th birthday and the 15th anniversary of the Toyota sponsorship. The latter has just been renewed with the addition of not only new vehicles, but also financial support for the almost-completed gym at the Cheetahs Rugby Academy. Next to the gym, which is in the building adjacent to the stadium that used to host post-match receptions for players, their families and administrators dating back to the amateur era, a museum will follow. This promises to be a special place to remind and celebrate – or even educate – younger generations just how handsomely the union contributes to the country's overall rugby picture. Not only through its senior ranks, but also by means of a highly decorated feeder system with schools like Grey College and tertiary institutions like the University of the Free State. A quick glance around the Vodacom Stadium's dressing room is a timely reminder of the wealth of players featuring in the union's storied history. Underneath the number on every player's locker is a list of players to have donned that particular jersey. Here you'll find an impressive bunch of names that have played their part in every one of the Boks' four World Cup triumphs. The career paths of Andre Venter, Ruben Kruger, Naka Drotske, Os du Randt, Pieter Muller, Andre Joubert, Coenie Oosthuizen, Jannie du Plessis, Juan Smith, Ruan Pienaar, Frans Steyn, Willie le Roux, Makazole Mapimpi, Lood de Jager, Duane Vermeulen, Trevor Nyakane and Ox Nche all went through the City of Roses. Not to mention Bok boss Rassie Erasmus, who transitioned from player to end the Cheetahs' 29-year wait for the Currie Cup in his very first coaching gig in 2005. The union's close-knit family bond, which also saw Franco Smith evolve from Cheetahs player to Varsity Cup-winning coach with Shimlas straight into winning the Currie Cup with the Cheetahs, is as strong as ever. Rassie Erasmus speaks to his players during a Currie Cup match between the Cheetahs and Western Province in 2004. Picture: Tertius Pickard \ Gallo Images Rich contribution to SA rugby These days Rory Duncan, who lifted the Currie Cup as captain under Drotske in 2007, is pulling the strings as CEO of Free State Rugby, alongside COO and another former player, MJ Smith. Steyn is the Director of Rugby and head coach alongside Pienaar, who both started and finished their careers in Bloem. Behind them, recently-retired Cheetahs legend and former Bok Oupa Mohoje has started cutting his coaching teeth at the Cheetahs' junior outfit. Besides the union's rich heritage, the other thing it is sadly renowned for is establishing talented players only for them to be lured away by the bright lights and the big bucks. The fact that very few of those Boks listed in the dressing room lifted the William Webb Ellis Cup as a Cheetah player is testament to that. All Duncan's best efforts in setting up a proper structure and Toyota's ongoing support will not fully address this problem. The Cheetahs need proper international exposure to prosper and it will be great news if the word on the street is true that they can soon be included in a new European competition. That is the least SA Rugby can do for them in return for their rich contribution over 130 years.
IOL News
6 days ago
- Sport
- 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
IOL News
23-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Siya Kolisi welcomes new talent to Springboks squad with open arms
NEW ERA Springbok captain Siya Kolisi warmly welcomes new talent like Ntokozo Makhaza to the squad as they work towards the 2027 Rugby World Cup, highlighting the importance of grassroots talent. Picture: Alche Greef/BackpagePix As the Springboks begin their road to the 2027 Rugby World Cup (RWC) in earnest, it's meant that coach Rassie Erasmus has cast the net wide as he hopes to harness all the talent in SA rugby at the moment. It's meant that a player like Ntokozo Makhaza has been included in the Springbok squad for the upcoming internationals. The backline player Makhaza is not a professional rugby player, but is the all-time top points scorer in the Varsity with the University of Cape Town. The 23-year-old is the perfect example of a player who will likely not feature soon for the Boks, but could well be a contender for the 2027 squad. Springbok skipper Siya Kolisi welcomed additions like Makhaza to the team.
CNA
12-06-2025
- Sport
- CNA
Erasmus backs university student Makhaza to be future Springbok
Coach Rassie Erasmus does not foresee an immediate Springbok cap for Ntokozo Makhaza, but believes the winger will one day wear the green and gold having been called into the South Africa squad without playing a game of professional rugby. Makhaza, 23, who found out about his selection for the start of the international season on social media, plays for the University of Cape Town in South Africa's Varsity Cup competition and is a reliable goal-kicker and speedy on the wing. He is studying for a degree in psychology and social development and has never been tested against professional players. "It's been a pleasure to work with him," Erasmus told reporters on Thursday. "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." Erasmus suggests the June 28 meeting with the Barbarians in Cape Town, and July's two tests against Italy and one versus Georgia, might come too soon, but believes Makhaza could wear the jersey in the future. "We definitely think he's someone who could play for the Springboks one day. It might be a bit early now. He's slotted in really well, but we're also being realistic. Having said that, he's certainly not far off the pace," Erasmus said. "I think he's going to make it one day. And if we hadn't given him this chance, we'd never know." Erasmus revealed there are several players with long-term injuries that are unlikely to feature for the Springboks this year – props Trevor Nyakane and Frans Malherbe, hooker/loose-forward Deon Fourie, and loose-forwards Elrigh Louw and Cameron Hanekom. Better news is the return to fitness in the coming weeks of several World Cup winners, including flanker Pieter-Steph du Toit, number eight Jasper Wiese and scrumhalf Grant Williams.
IOL News
10-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
From UCT Ikey Tigers to Springboks: the rise of Ntokozo Makhaza
Ntokozo Makhaza Image: Lerato Maduna The spectacular rise of UCT rugby star Ntokozo Makhaza has reached a thrilling new high with his first official call-up to the Springbok squad - remarkably, before even making his senior Currie Cup debut. Makhaza, a standout performer for the UCT Ikey Tigers and a student pursuing a degree in psychology and social development, was on Thursday named in Rassie Erasmus' first Springbok squad of the 2025 season. He joins the 54-man squad as one of nine uncapped players, with the reigning back-to-back Rugby World Cup champions set to open their season against the Barbarians at Cape Town Stadium on June 28. The news came as a complete surprise for the fleet-footed winger, who will soon join the Toyota Cheetahs. 'To be honest, I found out through social media,' he said. 'Someone tagged me and said congratulations, and at first, I wasn't even sure what it was about. Then I saw a post on a rugby page and checked for myself - there was my name.' A pivotal figure in UCT's Varsity Cup triumph this year and back-to-back Varsity Cup Player of the Year, Makhaza described the moment as surreal. 'I didn't come through the traditional ranks. I wasn't a standout in a professional setup. But someone believed in me, and that means a lot.' 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 ✕ Ad loading Makhaza caught the eye of national coaches during last month's Springbok alignment camp, where he impressed among some of the sport's biggest names, such as Siya Kolisi, Damien Willemse, Bongi Mbonambi, Lukhanyo Am and others. 'It was surreal to be surrounded by people who are the best, the two-time world champions. I didn't feel left out as they're very welcoming, friendly and always willing to help. It's an amazing environment that I want to be part of." 'I tried to remain as calm as I could. But obviously inside I was filled with joy. I was in disbelief. I'm still in a bit of disbelief. But that disbelief isn't necessarily me doubting my ability. To me, is this happening right now? Everything happening now is humbling. It just makes me so excited, and I don't know how to react.' For Makhaza, this milestone means more than personal achievement - it's a beacon of hope for others. 'It reassures me that maybe, one day, I'll officially wear the green-and-gold jersey in a match. Beyond just rugby, it inspires me that hard work eventually pays off in life. It's testament that if you keep going, keep working hard, you will be rewarded. I'm not saying I deserve it, it's just a privilege to be part of this." 'To the rugby club as a whole and to people within the university environment, it gives them hope. People are watching and your dreams are valid and achievable. A lot of people have looked at my journey and thought, 'This guy wasn't ranked among the top. He didn't come through a professional system.' But someone believed in me, and now that belief is starting to pay off. It's inspiring to other people as much as it is inspiring to me.'
