Varsity Cup star shocked by Rassie’s call

UCT winger Ntokozo Makhaza says he’s “still in disbelief” after being invited to this week’s Springbok alignment camp in Cape Town.

The 23-year-old was tipped off by UCT coach Robbie Fleck that Erasmus had asked for his number after the Varsity Cup final. Makhaza scored 32 points in the Ikey Tigers’ 44-21 win against Maties in Stellenbosch to lift the trophy for a third time.

But it did little to prepare him for when Erasmus phoned.

“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?’”

Makhaza, who signed for the Cheetahs after the Varsity Cup, said he only found out about his inclusion in the 54-man group for the Bok alignment camp on the morning of the announcement.

“I was having coffee with some of my mates, and I saw a text come in saying that I had been added to the Springbok WhatsApp group.”

Makhaza said he was aiming to “be myself” at the camp.

“The coach has brought me in because he has seen something in me,” he added. “I’m not going to try be bigger than what I am. I’m just going to be present in that moment and absorb as much information as I can.

“This is a great start and I think I’m going to enjoy this moment.”

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Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images