AUDIO: Boks 'blessed' to have Jozi Bulldozer on board

The anticipation of seeing him in a Springbok jersey was almost as big as the impressive bulk of colossal tighthead prop Asenathi Ntlabakanye himself.

There is an assortment of videos of the Lions’ behemoth prop lining up and hammering opponents in the midrift.

However, people remained sceptical of seeing a top-tier player of his size on the pitch because he just didn’t look like the stereotypical rugby player.

“I’d be lying if I said that doesn’t or didn’t drive me,” Ntlabakanye told @rugby365com partner RugbyPass last year.

“When I arrived on the scene, people said: ‘Gee, can this guy do this?’

“It was all about going out there and showing people. What you see is not what you get.

“Now I know my body and what I can do, it’s about being comfortable with myself. With growth, it changed.

“A few years back, I would read something, and it would be in my head. Now I’m in a different state of mind.”

There is no denying that his bulk catches the eye, but he uses it well. He has beguiling footwork, deft hands, and a love of whacking people.

One of his most memorable tackles came at the cost of Sharks’ flank, and former Lions teammate James Venter, galloping out of his five-metre zone, only to be catapulted backwards as though hit by a train.

It was the 153kg Lions prop.

Asenathi Ntlabakanye moved mountains in the @Vodacom #URC 🏔️💥

Now called up to the green and gold on Saturday on Saturday 🇿🇦

Drop a 💪 if you’re backing the big man pic.twitter.com/9o9FiEpZ5C

— Vodacom United Rugby Championship (URC) (@URCOfficial_RSA) June 26, 2025

Now 18kg lighter, Ntlabakanye has already won over the hearts of Springbok fans.

When a player is willing to work hard to become a regular member of the Bok set-up, the coaches also go the extra mile for them.

It might also be a case of investing in a potential replacement for the injured tighthead Frans Malherbe, who has been out of action since March.

Rumours about the 34-year-old packing it in have surfaced, but even if it is not the case, in Ntlabakanye, the Springboks could have a more than able back-up, as it is evident that there is a long-term vision for him.

On Monday, when Springbok scrum coach Daan Human faced reporters at the team hotel in Hyde Park, @rugby365com asked the revered ‘scrum doctor’ what his thoughts were on the performance of his latest prodigy.

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“I was very happy with what I saw of him and what he brought to the game, not only in the scrums, but also in the line-outs and mauls,” Human said, smiling, and added: “Also, his defence and on attack.

“I think he contributed massively, and I was very satisfied with what I saw of him.

“There are still a lot of things where he can improve, but we are very happy with what we have seen of him so far.

“I think we are blessed with a prop with so much skill that he can bring to the Springboks.”