Springboks back-row boost as hugely talented brothers become available for Rassie Erasmus’ selection
Vincent and Emmanuel Tshituka have become eligible for South Africa.
Rassie Erasmus’ Springboks back-row stocks have received another huge boost with brothers Vincent and Emmanuel Tshituka becoming eligible for South Africa.
The Congolese-born loose forwards have received their South African passports and can now be selected by Bok head coach Erasmus.
Tshituka brothers eligible for Springboks
According to a report by South African outlet Netwerk24, ex-Sharks CEO Eduard Coetzee and Stavros Nicolas – former interim Cricket South Africa CEO – assisted the pair with the time-consuming process.
The brothers were born in the Democratic Republic of Congo before moving to South Africa in their youth before making their break in professional rugby with the Lions.
Vincent left the Lions to join the Sharks in 2022 and Emmanuel, aka Manu, will link up with his older brother at the Durban-based side ahead of the upcoming season.
The pair of back-rowers are comfortable on the side of the scrum as well as number eight and were both in outstanding form for their respective teams this year.
Both are livewire forwards with fantastic all-round skills, particularly with ball in hand, which may well suit the Springboks’ evolving attack under new assistant coach Tony Brown.
The Springboks’ back-rower stocks are bursting at the seams but the ability to select the Tshituka brothers will be a welcome boost to Erasmus and his coaching team.
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Vincent Tshituka fielding French offers
While Vincent has been reunited with his brother at the Sharks, it is reported that he is fielding offers from multiple French clubs, who are eager to snap up his services from the Durban-based side.
According to Rapport, the interest in the flanker has only increased since he became a South African citizen with Tolon, La Rochelle, Pau, Montpellier and Toulouse understood to be the clubs vying for his signature.
The impending return of Siya Kolisi to the Sharks has added fuel to the rumours about his future in Durban.
Kolisi is locked in negotiations with Racing 92 over an early release from his contract as he plans to return to South Africa after failing to settle in Paris.
He initially signed until the end of June 2026 with the Top 14 club and Racing 92 could demand a hefty fee to release him from the final two seasons of his contract.
