Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks back-row stocks have been further boosted ahead of the 2025 international season.
According to a report, Sharks’ brothers Vincent and Emmanuel Tshituka are now both available for selection, having finally removed the last bit of red tape which made them ineligible for selection.
The Democratic Republic of Congo-born loose forwards received their South African passports in August last year, which should have made them eligible to represent the Springboks under SA Rugby’s regulations.
Tshituka brothers finally get the green light
However, neither were included in Erasmus’ Springbok alignment camps earlier this year.
According to Rapport, they were both pencilled into the initial plans, but because they had not received their South African ID books were removed by the Springboks as a precautionary measure.
The Tshitukas have since received their ID books according to the report and are now officially eligible for selection as they chase their dreams of representing the Springboks.
While the brothers were born in the DRC, they moved to South Africa in their youth and both went on to play for the Lions, where they made their professional debuts.
Older brother Vincent would make the switch to the Sharks ahead of the 2022/23 season, with Manu joining the Durban-based club this season.
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Their eligibility adds further depth to Erasmus’ already overflowing loose forward stocks as both are capable of playing on the side of the scrum as well as at number eight.
Vincent has been a regular feature for the Sharks at number seven this season with Siya Kolisi packing down at the back of the scrum and has captained the Durban-based side when the Bok skipper and Eben Etzebeth have been unavailable. He also led the team for much of the Currie Cup campaign last year.
The news of the pair now being eligible for the Springboks comes off the back of Jasper Wiese’s injury that is threatening his involvement in the international season this year while Elrigh Louw will miss the remainder of 2025.
Meanwhile, 2025 World Rugby Player of the Year Pieter-Steph du Toit is yet to play for his Japanese club Toyota Verblitz this year after sustaining an injury on Bok duty in November.
The Sharks and Springboks did breathe a sigh of relief, though with Etzebeth returning from a long lay-off this weekend.
Src: Planetrugby.com - https://www.planetrugby.com/news/rassie-erasmus-springboks-stocks-boosted-as-final-red-tape-removed-for-tshituka-brothers
