Utility forward Vincent Tshituka feels blessed to finally be a part of the Springbok setup, and is soaking up the lessons and expertise during the next step of his promising career.

Originally from the DRC, Tshituka and his younger brother, Emmanuel, were left out of Rassie Erasmus’ first alignment camp of 2025 in March due to delays in receiving their IDs. The Sharks duo had already obtained citizenship and SA passports.

Vincent earned his maiden call-up in mid-May, and the 26-year-old is now in line to make his Bok debut in the upcoming matches against the Barbarians (28 June), Italy (5 and 12 July) and Georgia (19 July) on home soil after being included in Erasmus’ 45-man squad for the start of the world champions’ 2025 season.

“It’s been an unreal experience. I think the attention to detail for me has been unreal,” he was quoted by SuperSport Rugby. “The team here pays attention to everything.

“Every single thing that you wouldn’t even think about as a player. I tell my brother all the time, there’s no way you can be in this environment and not get better.

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“The standards are just so high that improvement is the only option that makes sense. For me, it’s been unreal just being part of the camp, and the things you dream about.”

Since joining the Sharks from the Lions in 2022, Tshituka has become a cornerstone of their forward pack with his powerful carries and breakdown prowess, and is a key member of the leadership at the Durban outfit.

Also able to play in the second row, the Northcliff High alum skippered the Sharks to Currie Cup glory in 2024, after helping John Plumtree’s men become the first South African team to win European cup silverware when they beat Gloucester in the 2023-24 EPCR Challenge Cup final.

“You know how my story has gone, sometimes you kind of put things on the back-burner just so you can focus on the next job,” Tshituka added.

“It’s honestly been a massive lesson for me, for my family, for everybody that’s believed in me as well.

“You get messages from high school, you get messages from people that have watched and supported you. For me it’s a blessing, there’s no other way to put it.”

What an 18 months it’s been for Vincent Tshituka 📈

▫️ Won the EPCR Challenge Cup
▫️ Captained Sharks to Currie Cup
▫️ Named Sharks most consistent player

Now, a potential Springbok debut is around the corner 🇿🇦

Here’s what he told us back in March last year.. pic.twitter.com/ZIoyX9l9yn

— SuperSport Rugby (@SSRugby) June 19, 2025

Photo: Daniel Hlongwane/Gallo Images