Vincent Tshituka’s return to the green and gold lasted only seven minutes on Saturday night, concussion robbing him of the opportunity to burnish his reputation, writes CLINTON VAN DER BERG.
Yet he is happy to embrace his identity, even in a country where origins and cultures are habitually tangled.
Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo and raised in South Africa from the age of four, the Springbok forward says he carries both nationalities with pride rather than conflict.
“I’m Congolese, and I’m proud that I’m Congolese, but I’m South African just as much as I am Congolese,” he said ahead of his second cap, earned against Scotland. “It’s never a shame that you are foreign. You should be able to embrace it.”
ALSO: Rassie defends experimental Boks
He points to the Springbok captain as proof that a player’s origins never define his ceiling.
“If someone went back 20 years and looked at Siya Kolisi, they would have written him off,” he said. “Your background does not dictate your intentions, does not dictate your drive, does not dictate who you are as a person. It just dictates where you come from.”
Some of the most striking material, though, is personal rather than political. Tshituka describes playing alongside his brother Emmanuel, first at the Lions and now the Sharks, as one of the “creme de la creme moments” of his career, a rarity he says has sharpened both men rather than created rivalry.
“We hold each other to really good standards,” he said. “It’s brought the best out of me.”
KEO: Five Boks make a statement
His path to professional rugby was almost accidental. A self-described soccer fan who dreamed of being a goalkeeper, Tshituka only turned to rugby because Northcliff High School didn’t offer football.
It was then Lions age-group coach Joey Mongalo who convinced him to commit fully, at a point when Tshituka was leaning toward academics over sport.
“Rugby has the opportunity to change your life and your family’s life if you sell out for it, if you buy into it,” Mongalo told him.
PLUS: Handré hails Bok character after Scotland scare
Tshituka says that conversation altered the direction of his life entirely. Complacency has no part in his make-up.
“South Africa is filled with the most talent in the world, and for me to be here is a testament to the work that I’ve done. To stay here is a whole different challenge, and that’s what I’m working on.”
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post ‘It’s never a shame that you are foreign’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
Vincent Tshituka is happy to embrace his identity, even in a country where origins and cultures are habitually tangled.
The post ‘It’s never a shame that you are foreign’ appeared first on SA Rugby magazine. Read More
