Vincent Tshituka

Last updated

Vincent Tshituka
Full nameVincent Tshikaya Tshituka
Born (1998-09-10) 10 September 1998 (age 27)
Height1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
Weight107 kg (236 lb; 16 st 12 lb)
School Northcliff High School
Notable relative Emmanuel Tshituka (brother)
Rugby union career
Position Flank
Current team Sharks / Sharks (Currie Cup)
Youth career
2016–2019 Golden Lions
Senior career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2018 Golden Lions XV 7 (15)
2018–2022 Golden Lions 20 (5)
2019–2022 Lions 36 (20)
2022– Sharks 48 (20)
2023– Sharks (Currie Cup) 0 (0)
Correct as of 17 December 2022
International career
YearsTeamApps(Points)
2025- South Africa 1 (0)

Vincent Tshikaya Tshituka (born 10 September 1998) is a Congolese born South African rugby union player for the Sharks in United Rugby Championship. [2] His regular position is flank.

Contents

Early life

Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tshituka emigrated with his family, including younger brother Emmanuel Tshituka, to South Africa in 2002. [3] Prior to playing rugby, he focused on hip-hop dancing, and intended on pursuing a degree in software and app development. [3] Tshituka first played rugby while attending University of Johannesburg. [4]

Club career

Lions

Tshituka made his debut for the Lions during the 2019 Super Rugby season, as a substitute against the Bulls, before making his first start the following week against the Jaguares. [5] He was named as URC Player of the Month for April 2022. [6]

Sharks

Ahead of the 2022–23 United Rugby Championship, Tshituka signed with the Sharks. [7] He made his debut alongside Eben Etzebeth for the Sharks against Glasgow Warriors in October 2022. [8]

He signed an extension in December 2024, despite interest from clubs in Europe. [9] [10] Tshituka was named as the Sharks Player of the Year in June 2025. [11] Tshituka has served as captain on numerous occasions. [12]

International career

South Africa

In 2024, he gained South African citizenship, making him eligible to represent South Africa. [13]

In June 2025, he played for South Africa in an uncapped friendly against the Barbarians, scoring twice. [14]

Tshituka made his international debut on 5 July 2025, against Italy. [15]

References

  1. "Rugby star Vincent Tshituka scores big ambassadorship". The South African. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  2. "SA Rugby Player Profile – Vincent Tshituka". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
  3. 1 2 "'My mum never let us see her cry' - The Tshituka brothers' story of the sword and shield". www.rugbypass.com. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  4. "Vincent Tshituka's Journey from Refugee to Springbok Completes with Test Debut Against Italy | Central News South Africa". 5 July 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  5. Westhuyzen, Jacques van der (13 March 2019). "Lions flanker Tshituka enjoys just being himself". IOL. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  6. "Tshituka voted Vodacom United Rugby Championship Player of the Month for April". SA Rugby. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  7. Roche, Ross (9 May 2022). "Big blow for Lions as Vincent Tshituka joins Sharks". The Citizen. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  8. Coetzee, Dylan (12 October 2022). "URC: The Sharks set to unleash Eben Etzebeth and Vincent Tshituka". Planet Rugby. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  9. "Tshituka sticks around at Shark Tank". SA Rugby magazine. 17 December 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  10. "The Vincent Tshituka twist in Siya Kolisi's Parisian escape". www.rugbypass.com. 5 August 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  11. "PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS". The Sharks Durban. 18 June 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  12. "No Kolisi as Sharks surprise with captaincy". rugby365.com. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  13. Wright, Jared (21 August 2024). "Springboks back-row boost as hugely talented brothers become available for Rassie Erasmus' selection". Planet Rugby. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  14. "Eight-try Boks strike 50 in season opener". SA Rugby magazine. 28 June 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
  15. "Tshituka to make Test debut for Boks against Italy". SA Rugby. Archived from the original on 16 September 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.