Ntokozo Makhaza is on the verge of making history after receiving his first-ever Springbok call-up last week.
Makhaza first grabbed attention when Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus included him in the second alignment camp squad.
Erasmus doing what he does best! Known for his clever rugby tactics, Erasmus has a knack for spotting hidden gems. Just last year, he made a surprising call-up of Sampie Swiegers, the former NWU Pukke Varsity Cup-winning captain, to cover a potential tighthead prop shortage. That call ended up being just a precaution. But with Makhaza, many expected a similar temporary move — only to be proven wrong.
Speaking to Newzroom Afrika’s Yolulwe Qoshe in Durban, Makhaza shared how he first heard about the call.
Anticipating the call:
“I was over the moon. I got a text from my coach two days before we won the Varsity Cup with UCT Ikeys. He told me Rassie Erasmus had asked for my number. At first, I thought it was a joke, but then he said it was true. After that, I was just overjoyed. For a whole month, I kept expecting a call from him, but it never came,” Makhaza recalled.
Then, finally, the moment came.
The call that changed everything:
“One morning, I answered a call from an unknown number — it was Rassie! I honestly don’t remember much of what we said, I was just so happy. It’s inspiring that a two-time World Cup winner like him is watching Varsity rugby and saw something in me,” Makhaza said.
He also shared the unforgettable experience of entering the alignment camp and wearing the Springbok tracksuit alongside World Cup champions.
Rubbing shoulders with legends:
“I felt humbled and honoured. I kept asking myself, ‘Is this really me?’ Sitting next to Damian Willemse, Siya Kolisi, Eben Etzebeth, Lukhanyo Am, Aphelele Fassi, Ox Nche, and Bongi Mbonambi — it was surreal,” Makhaza said.
A dream come true:
“I looked down at the Springbok jersey and had to pinch myself. But the team made me feel so welcome — the culture here is incredible. It made me want to be a part of it even more,” he added.
The 23-year-old from Bethlehem is set to make history as possibly the first player to be capped by the Springboks before ever playing a professional game. For Makhaza, that achievement would mean everything.
What a Springbok call means to him:
“It would feel unreal, but it’s not just about me — it’s about everyone who supported me. My parents, coaches, teammates, teachers, and mentors all played a role. If I make the team, it’s a tribute to their hard work as much as mine,” he concluded.
