From UCT Ikey Tigers to Springboks: the rise of Ntokozo Makhaza

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.

- MYOLISI GOPHE

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.