VIDEO: Move to Bulls a step up for former Cheetahs prop
INTERVIEW: Prop Alulutho Tshakweni’s move to the Bulls after more than three years with the Cheetahs is to gain more exposure at a higher level.
The 26-year-old Tshakweni returned to the Bulls in July this year after a short stint in Pretoria during his Under-21 days.
He first represented the Border Bulldogs at the Under-18 Academy Week in 2015, going on to repeat the feat the following year.
He decided to remain in the region and turned out for Eastern Province in the Under-19 Currie Cup in 2017, a tournament that garnered him national acclaim.
So impressive was Tshakweni that he earned a call-up to the South African team for the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in 2018, making the No.1 jersey his own and starting against both England and New Zealand.
It wasn’t long before larger franchises came calling and he duly moved to Pretoria and signed with the Blue Bulls for their Under-21 Currie Cup Campaign. He returned to Port Elizabeth later that year when the opportunity of a lifetime presented itself.
Despite being so young, the Southern Kings aggressively recruited Tshakweni to join their ranks, and a Pr014 debut came in 2018 against Connacht.
At just 20 years of age, the hard-running prop was now a regular on the big stage, showing off his pace and superb work rate around the park.
Three years ago he moved to Bloemfontein where his stunning defensive hits came to the fore.
The 25-year-old Tshakweni told the media this week that it was time to make the move up North again in an effort to get more exposure.
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“I was at the Cheetahs for three and a half years and it felt like it was time. I am just a youngster and I feel it was the right age for me.
“I could’ve stayed, the Cheetahs was a good place for me and a great environment, but I felt it was the right time to move and see what I could achieve,” he said.
“That was the main thing for me.
“I don’t want to settle in one place and get comfortable.
“This is a big step up for me, it’s more exposure,” he explained.
He acknowledged that Bulls players are more likely to catch the eye of the Springbok selectors, as their eight representatives in the Springbok squad reflect compared to no Boks out of Bloemfontein.
“Coming from the Cheetahs, it was a step up for me and to show people what I can do.
“Hopefully, I can get to the URC [United Rugby Championship] squad, but at the moment we are in the Currie Cup and we are just taking it day by day.
“The last couple of years [there were] no Cheetahs [in the Boks squad] and [they] have been looked down in terms of the Springboks.
“I’m here now and a couple of guys [from the Bulls] are in there, so it is a bit of a motivation and also just to keep doing my thing.
“Hopefully, I can also be there one day.
“It’s going to come, I am not too focused on that.
“I am super happy for the guys [who made the Bok squad], it’s a great group of players.
“I am ready for the step up, all I have to do is keep playing and everything else will take care of itself.”
