Springboks’ Focus on 2025 Season
The Springboks are already gearing up for the 2025 rugby season, and their preparations have officially begun.
A group of 56 domestic players, including the rising star Asenathi Ntlabakanye, will come together in Cape Town for the first national camp of the year.
This camp is an important step in aligning the team with the goals and standards for the upcoming season.
The Alignment Camp
This alignment camp, which will wrap up on Wednesday, March 12th, is set to include two gym sessions and several crucial boardroom meetings.
These sessions aim to get players fully prepared for the challenges ahead.
It will also give them a chance to get up to speed on the expectations for the season.
The camp will feature a mix of experienced and new faces.
Among the players are 18 members from the 2023 Rugby World Cup-winning team, 22 capped national players, and 16 uncapped players, including Ntlabakanye.
His presence in the camp marks an exciting moment in his rugby career after a series of standout performances for the Lions.
Who is Asenathi Ntlabakanye?
Asenathi Ntlabakanye is one of the newcomers in the Springbok squad, and his journey to this point has been impressive.
He made his mark with the Lions, where he has been a key player in the United Rugby Championship (URC).
Before joining the senior team, Ntlabakanye shone in the junior ranks, making a name for himself in the Lions’ youth system.
He also represented the Junior Springboks (SA U20) twice, first in 2018 and then again in 2019.
Ntlabakanye’s rise has made him one of the most exciting prospects in South African rugby.
A Brief Look at His Background
Ntlabakanye hails from Plettenberg Bay, a stunning coastal town along South Africa’s famous Garden Route.
Born on April 15, 1999, he is now 25 years old.
Standing at 1.83 meters tall and weighing 153 kilograms, he is a formidable presence on the field.
His Role and Potential for the Springboks
As a tighthead prop, Ntlabakanye is considered a strong contender to fill the shoes of the experienced Frans Malherbe (33).
The current backup props—Vincent Koch (34), Thomas du Toit (29), and Wilco Louw (30)—have been solid, but Ntlabakanye’s skill set offers something new.
Despite his size, Ntlabakanye is incredibly agile and has surprising explosiveness, which sets him apart from other players in his position.
Not only is he a dominant force in the scrum, but he is also a powerful ball carrier, an excellent tackler, and someone with impressive handling skills for a front-row player.
His ability to combine strength with finesse could provide a fresh dimension to the Springboks’ forward play, adding to their already strong attack and defense.
Does He Have Social Media?
Yes, Asenathi Ntlabakanye is active on social media.
You can find him on Instagram under the handle @asap_ntlaba and on X (formerly known as Twitter) as @asenathintlaba3.
What’s Next?
As the Springboks continue their preparations for the 2025 season, Ntlabakanye’s inclusion in the camp is just the beginning of what could be a very promising career with the national team.
Fans will be watching closely to see how he performs as he works towards potentially becoming a key player for the team.