Getting to know: South Africa U20s back row Thabang Mphafi

The 2024 World Rugby U20 Championship wasn’t supposed to turn out like this for Thabang Mphafi and the Junior Boks, a campaign-ending clash with Wales in the seventh-to-eighth-place play-off.

They had finished second in the inaugural age-grade Rugby Championship on the Australian Gold Coast in May and their ‘home’ World Cup campaign started promisingly as their 57-7 win over Fiji was the largest winning margin chalked up by anyone in round one.

However, their graph has since sharply declined and they head into Friday’s play-off versus the Welsh having lost three matches in succession as Argentina have twice comfortably had their number and they also lost a muddy arm wrestle to England with the concession of an 86th-minute try.

Their troubles have extended to player availability as several have picked up injuries, with some – including Mphafi – having had their tournament prematurely ended.

He started all three of their pool matches, packing down at openside, blindside and then No8 in the final game against the English which was where he picked up the injury that has left him sidelined. Before that happened, he had taken the RugbyPass Q&A where Pierre Spies, Rene Ranger and Lil Baby featured among his answers:

THE BASICS

Born: January 21, 2004;

Joined South Africa age-grade: I played U18 in 2022, first game was against England;

Club: Lions;

Height: 6ft 3;

Weight: 96/97kgs;

Position: Back row;

Boots: I wear Under Armour;

Gumshield: We have the World Rugby ones;

Headgear: No;

School: King Edward V11. 

RATE YOURSELF (out of 100)

Pace: Probably 90;

Passing: Something like 86;

Tackling: 84 probably.

THE PAST

My favourite South Africa player of all time is… What’s his name? Who’s that guy? Pierre? Pierre Spies. He played eighth man for Bulls;

Favourite try I have ever scored is… That’s a tricky one. Probably at my school, I ran the whole field in 2022;

A rugby memory that makes me smile is… Probably my family watching;

The moment I realised I could make it is… That’s tricky. When I scored the first try in my matric year;

One piece of advice I would give to my younger self is… I’d say keep on believing and greatness will come to you. Never ever give up no matter what happens, just keep on working hard. Good things take time and your time will come;

My best subject in school was… Business studies;

First player that made me fall in love with rugby was… Rene Ranger;

Growing up, my position was… I was just back and forth centre, No12, seven and eight;

The coach who has most impacted my game is… My principal at primary school. He forced me to play rugby.

THE PRESENT

My best attributes on the field are… Probably my work rate and attack;

One thing I’m doing to improve my education is… I am going to study next year at varsity. Still deciding which one but want to study something in the business section;

My favourite current South Africa player is… Who is my current favourite? I’ll say Pieter-Steph.

My favourite YouTuber is… Not really;

My hardest working teammate is… Who works hard? I’ll give it to Bathu (Bathobele Hlekani);

My most skilful teammate is… I’ll give it to Litelihle Bester;

My favourite training drill is… Touch;

My favourite music artist is… I listen to Lil Baby.

THE FUTURE

A player who could go all the way is… A star in the making in my team? I’d say Bathu;

If I could play with anyone, I would like to play with… Anybody? A player I’d love to play with is Ardie Savea;

I will be happy with my career if I… What would make me happy? Probably going professional, the URC, and hopefully the Springboks when I am older. I am on contract at the moment with the Lions;

One thing I want to add to my game is… I was working on ball stealing as a loosie and I think I have improved that. Every time I have went for a steal I have taken it so that is one thing I am also still working on improving, breakdown reaction and stealing balls;

If I could play in any other country, I would play in… New Zealand;

One person I want to meet is… There is a lot of people;

One trophy I would love to win is… U20 World Cup.

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