Rising star can hardly remember call from Rassie Erasmus

In the latest Springbok group that will gather for an upcoming alignment camp, the biggest ‘bolter’ in terms of selection was undoubtedly Ntokozo Makhaza.

The flying winger was recently named both the 2025 Varsity Cup Player of the Year and Backline Player of the Year, and proved to be an instrumental figure for the UCT Ikey Tigers on their charge to the title.

It was the second consecutive year that Makhaza was named Varsity Cup Player of the Year, and it was also his third consecutive Varsity Cup final, which has ultimately earned him both a contract with the Cheetahs and a call-up to the Springboks.

“One morning I had just woken up and I received a call from an unknown number. I picked it up and I hear that tone and it was Rassie,” Makhaza told News24.

“Do you know who this is?” Erasmus asked.

“I don’t remember half the conversation, if I’m honest. I was in shock,” Makhaza recalled. “But the gist of it was that I had stood out and they just want to have a look at me.

“I’m still in disbelief. Every day I wake up and think: ‘Is this really happening?’”

VARSITY CUP TO SPRINGBOKS

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