Rassie Erasmus picks Varsity Cup star Ntokozo Makhaza for Springbok squad
Makhaza has not played a single game of pro-rugby in his life. Now he may wear the sacred Springbok jersey in his professional debut. The Springboks face the Barbarians in Cape Town on 28 June.
Varsity Cup winger, Ntokozo Makhaza. Photo: X/UCT_news (screenshot)
947’s Robert Marawa speaks with former Springbok squad member Thando Manana of the Blue Bulls Company.
Listen below:
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus’ 54-man squad for the upcoming international season packs a major punch.
The squad includes 31 World Cup winners as well as nine uncapped players.
Erasmus’ choices are based on form, says Manana.
“Rassie is just adding players because he understands what lies ahead. He is trying to get a good mix of fusing the inexperienced players with those who are champs, experienced players.”
– Thando Manana, Head of High Performance – Blue Bulls Company
“He is giving the youngsters quite a significant time to be around this Springbok set up, the training. They start training as of next week Monday (9 June)… He wants to start timeously.”
– Thando Manana, Head of High Performance – Blue Bulls Company
A surprise addition to the roster was young player Ntokozo Makhaza.
The Varsity Cup star became a professional rugby player on 1 June when his contract with the Toyota Free State Cheetahs came into effect.
Now he may wear the Springbok jersey for his professional debut.
“He is a brilliant Varsity Cup accolade of the last three years… He is there [with the Springboks] before he has even played for his provincial team in the upcoming Currie Cup.”
– Thando Manana, Head of High Performance – Blue Bulls Company
The Boks face the Barbarians in Cape Town on 28 June, followed by two tests against Italy in Pretoria and Gqeberha, and Georgia in Nelspruit in July.
Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion.