BOKKER OFF

Ex-Stormers No.8 Juarno Augustus and Sharks loose-forward Vincent Tshituka will also attend their first Bok alignment camp.

However, Makhaza, who helped Ikeys beat Maties 44-21 in the Varsity Cup final, still could not get his head around being picked for the Boks.

And he says of the big news taking time to sink in: “I actually thought they were just reaching out to congratulate me on the Varsity Cup season. It didn’t sink in until I saw the official announcement on the Springboks' social-media page.

“I was very surprised that I’m part of the camp. A bit nervous, but excited. I’m just happy and motivated to see that people are watching and monitoring varsity rugby. It inspired me to believe more that the dreams I have are possible.”

The 2025 Varsity Cup Player and Backline Player of the Year, who recently signed a professional contract with the Cheetahs, now wants to make full use of his opportunity to impress.

He adds: “To me it’s an honour and I’m privileged and humbled,” says the winger. “I think it’s been created by the coaches and players because of the opportunity and platform they gave me…

“The main goal is to learn and absorb as much as I can so that when I join the Cheetahs I’m better than when I was here at UCT.”

Makhaza, must complete one final course to earn his degree in psychology before he joins the Cheetahs for the Currie Cup Premier Division campaign that starts on 26 July.

STAR University of Cape Town (UCT) wing Ntokozo Makhaza, 23, thought it was a prank when he got a call telling him had been picked for the Springboks’ training camp innie Kaap.

The Ikeys flyer is one of three new faces called up to Bok coach Rassie Erasmus and his management team’s 54-man strong alignment camp that takes place on Thursday and Friday.