Thabo Mabuza

Sikhumbuzo Thabo Mabuza (born 1 February 1994 in Nelspruit, South Africa) is a South African rugby union player for the Falcons in the Currie Cup and the Rugby Challenge.[1] He generally plays as an openside flanker.

Thabo Mabuza
Full nameSikhumbuzo Thabo Mabuza
Date of birth (1994-02-01) 1 February 1994
Place of birthNelspruit, South Africa
Height1.82 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in)
Weight90 kg (14 st 2 lb; 198 lb)
SchoolHoërskool Centurion, Centurion
Rugby union career
Position(s) Openside flanker
Youth career
2007 Pumas
2010–2012 Blue Bulls
2013–2015 Golden Lions
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2014–2015 Golden Lions XV 7 (15)
2016 Griquas 7 (5)
2017–present Falcons 29 (95)
Correct as of 25 August 2019
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2011–2012 South Africa Schools 4 (0)
2014 South Africa Under-20 1 (0)
Correct as of 21 May 2014

Career

Youth

Born in Nelspuit and attending the White River Primary School in Mpumalanga, Mabuza was chosen to play for the Pumas at the Under-13 Craven Week tournament in 2007.

He then went to Centurion High School, where he was selected for youth teams for the Blue Bulls. In 2010, he represented them at the Under-16 Grant Khomo Week in Upington and he played for them in the Under-18 Craven Week tournament in both 2011 and 2012.

In both seasons, he was also selected for the South African Schools side. In 2011, he played in a 21–14 victory against a France Under-18 side in Port Elizabeth[2] and in 2012, he started in three matches – against France,[3] Wales[4] and England Under-18.[5]

Mabuza then made the move across the Jukskei River to join Johannesburg-based side the Golden Lions for the 2013 season. He made thirteen appearances for the Golden Lions U19 side during the 2013 Under-19 Provincial Championship competition, helping them reach the final of the competition, where they lost 35–23 to the Blue Bulls U19 in Cape Town.[6]

In 2014, Mabuza was included in the South Africa Under-20 squad for the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship to be held in New Zealand.[7]

Golden Lions

Mabuza had a remarkable start to his first class career. He started the Golden Lions' opening match of the 2014 Vodacom Cup competition against the Leopards in Potchefstroom on 7 March 2014. The Leopards led 16–3 shortly before the hour mark when Mabuza scored two tries in a four-minute spell to bring the Golden Lions back into the game and eventually helped them narrowly win the match 18–16.[8] A further three starts and two substitute appearances followed as the Golden Lions made it all the way to the final before losing to Griquas, another match that Mabuza featured in.[9]

References
  1. "SA Rugby Player Profile – Thabo Mabuza". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  2. "SA Schools and SA Academy Teams Announced". Rugby15. 16 July 2012. Archived from the original on 3 March 2014. Retrieved 21 May 2014.
  3. "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa 17–7 France". South African Rugby Union. 10 August 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  4. "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa 24–16 Wales". South African Rugby Union. 14 August 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  5. "SA Rugby Match Centre – South Africa 36–29 England". South African Rugby Union. 18 August 2012. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  6. "SA Rugby Match Centre – MTN Golden Lions 23–35 Vodacom Blue Bulls". South African Rugby Union. 26 October 2013. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  7. "Junior Springboks named for JWC 2014". South African Rugby Union. 22 April 2014. Archived from the original on 7 June 2016. Retrieved 6 June 2016.
  8. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Leopards XV 16–18 Golden Lions". South African Rugby Union. 7 March 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  9. "SA Rugby Match Centre – GWK Griquas 30–6 Golden Lions". South African Rugby Union. 16 May 2014. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
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