Latest news with #Tshituka
France 24
04-07-2025
- Sport
- France 24
Springboks dream comes true for Congolese refugee Tshituka
He fled to South Africa from the Democratic Republic of Congo with his family in 2002 to avoid politically-induced violence. Later, while studying at the University of Johannesburg, he fell in love with rugby. It was an unusual choice given he came from a country where football is the dominant sport. Tshituka caught the eye of scouts from the Johannesburg-based Lions, one of the four major rugby franchises in South Africa, and quickly established himself in the matchday 23. In 2022 he moved to another of the 'big four', the Sharks in Durban, and became part of a Springbok-stacked pack. But to be eligible for the Springboks he had to become a South African citizen, which the 26-year-old achieved recently. He debuted for South Africa against the Barbarians last weekend and scored two tries in a 54-7 triumph. However, it was an exhibition match, so no caps were awarded. But the clash with Italy is an official Test and no Springbok will be prouder than Tshituka when he runs on to the Loftus Versfeld pitch. "Playing for the Springboks in a Test is the greatest sporting honour available to me. I have dreamt for many years of wearing the green and gold," he told reporters. "Fleeing Congo was a traumatic experience, particularly for my wonderful parents. After arriving in South Africa, my father would go to rubbish dumps, find items of value, and sell them to feed us. "There was little money, but we survived because our parents displayed incredible love for their children. We owe them so much. 'Disadvantage' "I did not go to a rugby-playing school, which was a disadvantage. But at university I made up for lost time and it is hard to describe exactly how I feel before facing the Italians. "The more difficult your background, the more you appreciate the opportunities life presents. Saturday is going to be an extraordinary special day for me and my family," he added. Tshituka is one of only three Springboks in the matchday 23 who were not part of the 2019 or 2023 Rugby World Cup-winning teams. The others are scrum-half Morne van den Berg and tighthead prop Wilco Louw as South Africa start a 13-Test schedule that ends in Wales in late November. Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus has shown respect toward Italy by fielding a team lackking only two regular first choices -- injured flankers Siya Kolisi and Pieter-Steph du Toit. Captain Kolisi also missed the Barbarians match and outside centre Jesse Kriel debuts as a Test captain. "Everyone expects us to beat Italy, but they were really competitive in the first two rounds of the 2025 Six Nations Championship," said Erasmus. "Thereafter, they struggled with their player depth as they do not have such a large pool of players. They will be ready for us, though, and we dare not underestimate them." Italy coach and former Argentina fly-half Gonzalo Quesada has made 10 changes to the team that started a narrow loss to Ireland last March in their final 2025 Six Nations outing. Despite the defeat, the Azzurri dodged the wooden spoon for the second straight season having earlier beaten Wales in Rome. Top-ranked South Africa are nine places above Italy and have scored an average of 55 points in winning seven previous home matches between the countries. No where is the gap between the teams more evident than experience. Twelve of the Springboks matchday 23 boast more than 50 caps while Italy have just four half-centurions.
The Star
01-07-2025
- Sport
- The Star
Rugby-Tshituka to debut for Springboks against Italy
FILE PHOTO: Rugby Union - European Challenge Cup - Final - Gloucester Rugby v Sharks - Tottenham Hotspur Stadium, London, Britain - May 24, 2024, Sharks' Vincent Tshituka catches his shoe Action Images via Reuters/Andrew Boyers/File Photo (Reuters) -Loose-forward Vincent Tshituka will make a first test start for South Africa alongside several recalled Rugby World Cup winners for the first test against Italy at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday. Tshituka, who was born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, impressed in the 54-7 victory over the Barbarians in Cape Town last Saturday, but that was a non-cap game and so will officially debut against the Italians in Pretoria. Damian Willemse returns at fullback and Handre Pollard takes over from Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu in an otherwise unchanged backline. Morne van den Berg keeps his place at scrumhalf. Regular captain Siya Kolisi remains sidelined with injury so the back row of the scrum will feature Tshituka, Marco van Staden and number eight Jasper Wiese, who returns from a long injury absence. Eben Etzebeth is back to partner Lood de Jager in the second row, while Malcolm Marx starts at hooker with props Ox Nche and Wilco Louw either side of him. "We have a big squad, and we would like to balance the game time within the group, while at the same time maintaining continuity in selection, and we believe this is the team that will be best suited for what we want to achieve against Italy," coach Rassie Erasmus said. "If one goes through this team, there are so many leaders, and we were impressed with how Jesse (Kriel) accepted the responsibility of wearing the captain's armband last week." Lock RG Snyman, scrumhalf Faf de Klerk and fullback Willie le Roux are all two-time World Cup winners who will be on the bench this week. If the latter enters the field he will earn a 99th test cap. The fixture is the first of two tests against Italy this month. The Springboks will also host Georgia on July 19. South Africa team: 15-Damian Willemse, 14-Cheslin Kolbe, 13-Jesse Kriel (captain), 12-Damian de Allende, 11-Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10-Handre Pollard, 9-Morne van den Berg, 8-Jasper Wiese, 7-Vincent Tshituka, 6-Marco van Staden, 5-Lood de Jager, 4-Eben Etzebeth, 3-Wilco Louw, 2-Malcolm Marx, 1-Ox Nche Replacements: 16-Bongi Mbonambi, 17-Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18-Vincent Koch, 19-RG Snyman, 20-Franco Mostert, 21-Kwagga Smith, 22-Faf de Klerk, 23-Willie le Roux. (Reporting by Nick Said)
The Citizen
25-06-2025
- Sport
- The Citizen
Springbok newcomer Vincent Tshituka to finally realise rugby dream
After a long-running citizenship saga, Vincent Tshituka is finally in line to make his Springbok bow against the Barbarians on Saturday. Vincent Tshituka just wanted to be in the race, and now he is finally approaching the finish line. He's set to realise his dream of playing for the Springboks in Saturday's first international of the season when the world champions clash with the Barbarians in Cape Town. The match is not an official Test and he won't win a first cap, but it should be the start of a Bok career that was probably delayed by a few years due to circumstances out of the big flanker's control. Ever since his impressive performances for the Lions a few years ago, before he moved to the Sharks and continued his fine form, there had been rumblings about the Democratic Republic of Congo born Tshituka donning the green and gold. But over the past few years he has been in a long running saga to obtain South African citizenship, despite having lived in the country since he was four, and once he finally achieved that it was then about receiving his passport, which finally made him eligible to be selected for the Boks. The 26-year-old has thus finally gotten out of the starting blocks and will hope to make a big impact in his first outing for the national team over the weekend. Getting the passport 'It was something I tried to get for quite a while, and everybody asked me that question. My response was always, 'getting the passport doesn't put me in the squad, there's still a selection process',' said Tshituka at the team announcement on Tuesday when asked about his journey. 'After a good season, people were saying, 'Ja, you're going to play for the Springboks, you're going to make it'. But that was always the best-case scenario for me, and I tried to put it on the back burner. 'For me, it was just, let me get the passport, let me be eligible to be in the race (to be selected), because without it, I was never in the race. I felt like that was just the ticket to participate, and then being selected for a Test match is winning a medal.' Although his first assignment for the Boks is to front up against some recent legends of the game, who are coming towards the end of their careers, Tshituka hasn't really focused on the Barbarians too much, but more on himself. 'To be honest with you, I haven't even thought about the players I'm facing. No disrespect to them and how they are feeling ahead of this game, but I must still take in how I feel and what I am going through,' he explained. 'My moment is where I want to be present, and I will keep my mind focused on that. It will be an emotional game for them (the Barbarians players), because it is at the back end of their careers. However, I must get over the emotion and get stuck in. 'The Green and Gold is everything to me and my family, who have supported me along this journey. That is already a big enough occasion.'
IOL News
24-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
The Green and Gold is everything to me, says Vincent Tshituka ahead of SA debut
Debutant Vincent Tshituka looks forward to staying in the moment and bringing his side when he runs out for the Springboks on Saturday against the Barbarians in Cape Town. Image: BackpagePix Vincent Tshituka has his South African passport in hand and ready for it to be stamped for national duty, as he prepares to make his debut in Springbok colours against the Barbarians on Saturday in Cape Town. After a prolonged saga to obtain South African citizenship and become eligible for the World Cup-winning national team, the 26-year-old has finally put that chapter behind him and is now ready to focus on rugby. The Barbarians will be the Boks' first opponents of 2025, with the clash set to take centre stage at Cape Town Stadium at 5.10pm. Tshituka said on Tuesday that receiving his passport – and by extension, citizenship – did not guarantee a place in the national team, but it gave him the opportunity to compete for selection. He is grateful to have achieved it, thanks to the support of his family. 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 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. Next Stay Close ✕ 'For me, it was just, 'let me get the passport, let me be eligible to be in the race (to be selected)' – because without it, I was never in the race,' Tshituka explained at the team announcement. 'I felt like that was just the ticket to participate, and then being selected for a Test match is winning a medal. 'It was something I tried to get for quite a while, and everybody asked me that question. My response was always: getting the passport doesn't put me in the squad – there's still a selection process. 'After a good season, people were saying, 'Ja, you're going to play for the Springboks, you're going to make it'. But that was always the best-case scenario for me, and I tried to put it on the back burner.' Debutant Vincent Tshituka on getting a start for the #Springboks and fulfilling a dream on Saturday against the Barbarians — Leighton Koopman (@Leighton_K) June 24, 2025 Tshituka is well aware of the challenge ahead as he prepares to face top-class opposition in his first outing. However, the loose-forward is focused on staying present as he takes the field alongside captain Siya Kolisi and eighth man Jean-Luc du Preez in the Boks' first match of the year. The Barbarians boast a star-studded squad including Ireland's Peter O'Mahony and New Zealanders Sam Cane, Shannon Frizzell, Lachlan Boshier and Hoskins Sotutu – a formidable force, particularly at the breakdown. Despite the calibre of his opponents, Tshituka is staying focused on his own role. #Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus and the uncapped Vincent Tshituka speaking to the media during the team announcement ahead of Saturday's clash vs the Barbarians — Leighton Koopman (@Leighton_K) June 24, 2025
Daily Maverick
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Daily Maverick
Rassie selects four new faces and some seasoned veterans for Boks against Barbarians
Although there are no official caps on offer, Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus views Saturday's clash against the Barbarians as a Test and is treating it that way while blooding some new faces. Lions prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye and Sharks flank Vincent Tshituka are two new faces in the Springbok starting lineup to face the Barbarians at DHL Stadium on Saturday. Scarlets hooker Marnus van der Merwe and prop Neethling Fouché will have their first taste of Springbok rugby from the bench against a Baabaas team that includes 18 Test players in the 23-man touring squad. Coach Rassie Erasmus continued the theme laid out by assistant coach Tony Brown earlier in the week, when declaring that the Boks would approach the contest like a Test. He has certainly picked a bruising pack to lay down a strong foundation while also dotting the team with flair. Tshituka is a big No 7 flank but he also possesses some silky skills, as does the massive 141kg Ntlabakanye, who, despite his size, is a baller. 'Playing within the Bok structures is definitely a thing that I've got to do, but at the same time I also want to bring Vincent to the table,' Tshituka said. 'It's definitely (about) structures, and that's what we've worked hard on and what Rassie has spoken about at the alignment camps in the past two weeks. 'I need to be aligned with what the team wants to do, and then I want to see where I can bring myself into the team.' Experience? Veteran lock Lood de Jager will make his first appearance for the Boks after an injury-plagued two years as the main lineout target, while Sale's Jean-Luc du Preez, who fell out of favour last year, starts at No 8. 'We have largely selected the guys who have been training with us for the last two, three weeks,' Erasmus said. 'They understand more or less what we're trying to get better this year. So that was one thing. The Bulls players wouldn't have trained a lot with us. Guys like Thomas du Toit, Handré Pollard and RG Snyman haven't. 'So the only real player who's in the mix here who played last weekend is Jan Hendrik Wessels because we needed a loosehead prop. 'Apart from that, yes, then also a few of the Japanese players need game time. 'The average caps here is probably about 30 to 32. We normally go above 40 to 55 in a Test. In vital positions we have inexperienced players. Aphelele Fassi's got 11 caps, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu has eight caps, scrumhalf Morné van den Berg got two. Our starting tighthead is uncapped and the reserve front row has got one cap between them. 'So I'm trying to get some steady hands in between the inexperience while bringing through more inexperienced players at this level.' Experimentation 'We've said over the past few weeks that this match will provide the ideal opportunity to get the Japanese-based players and a few other players back into full match mode for the Incoming Series (against Italy and Georgia),' Erasmus added. 'We also have the opportunity to see first hand how a few of the newer players in the squad perform at this level, so we are excited to see what this group can do. 'With a handful of players having participated in the United Rugby Championship Grand Final and Handré (Pollard) and Thomas (Du Toit) in the Premiership Final, they lost out on over a week of training. 'It was our plan from the outset to select players who we have been working with for the last few weeks and who are already functioning well within our structures. 'That said, we are planning to rotate our squad throughout the season to manage the players, and we are pleased with the depth we have within this group.' Eighteen players with Test experience from across the world touched down in Cape Town at the start of the week, reporting for duty for the Barbarians. The 23-man squad, which includes former Junior Springbok lock Ruben van Heerden of the Stormers and coached by Robbie Deans, are preparing to take on the Springboks for the first time on South African soil. The first five players confirmed for the fixture were the Irish centurion trio of Cian Healy (prop), Peter O'Mahony (flank) and Conor Murray (scrumhalf), while former All Black captain Sam Cane and his Kiwi teammate Shannon Frizell (both loose forwards) were also locked in. They will be joined by five more capped All Blacks in Hoskins Sotutu (loose forward), Tawera Kerr-Barlow (scrumhalf), Peter Umaga-Jensen (utility back), Leicester Fainga'anuku (wing) and Mark Tele'a (wing). Joe Marchant (England), Melvyn Jaminet (France), Santiago Arata Perrone (Uruguay), David Ribbans (England), Camille Chat (France), Will Collier (England), Hassane Kolingar (France), and Paul Alo-Emile (Samoa) are all capped at Test level. DM South Africa: 15 Aphelele Fassi, 14 Cheslin Kolbe, 13 Jesse Kriel, 12 Damian de Allende, 11 Kurt-Lee Arendse, 10 Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9 Morné van den Berg, 8 Jean-Luc du Preez, 7 Vincent Tshituka, 6 Siya Kolisi (captain), 5 Lood de Jager, 4 Jean Kleyn, 3 Asenathi Ntlabakanye, 2 Malcolm Marx, 1 Ox Nche. Replacements: 16 Marnus van der Merwe, 17 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 18 Neethling Fouché, 19 Franco Mostert, 20 Kwagga Smith, 21 Cobus Reinach, 22 Manie Libbok, 23 Andre Esterhuizen. Barbarians squad: Forwards: Cian Healy (Leinster) Will Collier (Castres) Hassane Kolingar (Racing 92) Paul Alo-Emile (Stade Francais) Camille Chat (Lyon) John 'Ricky' Riccitelli (Blues) David Ribbans (Toulon) Ruben van Heerden (DHL Stormers) Josh Beehre (Blues) Hoskins Sotutu (Blues) Peter O'Mahony (Munster) Sam Cane (Tokyo Sungoliath) Shannon Frizell (Toshiba) Lachlan Boshier (Wild Knights) Backs: Tawera Kerr Barlow (La Rochelle) Santiago Arata Perrone (Castres) Melvyn Jaminet (Toulon) Josh Jacomb (Chiefs) Peter Umaga-Jensen (Hurricanes) Leicester Fainga'anuku (Toulon) Mark Tele'a (Blues) Jacob Ratumaitavuki-Kneepkens (Highlanders) Joe Marchant (Stade Francais)
