'There is just more pressure': Tshituka explains move to Sharks
SPOTLIGHT: Loose forward Vincent Tshituka has explained his decision to leave the Lions for a three-year contract with the Sharks in Durban.
Tshituka was one of the standout performers for the Lions in the 2021/22 United Rugby Championship season.
He won numerous man-of-the-match awards and he played key roles in the matches that the Lions won in the tournament.
However, the 24-year-old felt that he needed to move away from Johannesburg to grow as a player and Durban was the place that caught his eye.
“I moved to the Sharks because I was at that stage in my life where I wanted something new,” Tshituka told Forever Sports at the recent 2022/2023 URC season launch in Midrand.
“I was looking at other options and the Sharks seemed like a really good option.
“It’s an exciting team they are putting together and the goal is for us to be the best in the world. I want nothing more than to be the best as well.
“I have been in Durban for about three weeks now and it has been a smooth transition. They have made it easy for me and they have been taking care of me.”
Tshituka believes the Sharks’ environment will bring out the best in him and also put his name in the spotlight among some of the big stars in their squad.
“One of the reasons why I actually joined the team is because to be a real star you have to be a star among stars,” Tshituka explained.
“To play with world-class players is one privilege but to be a world-class player among world-class players is another thing.
“That is my goal and my plan. I want to be a star among stars.”
To achieve those goals, Tshituka will first need to win a place in the Sharks’ back row.
Sean Everitt’s side already has several quality loosies in the squad in the form of Siya Kolisi, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Phendulani Buthelezi, James Venter and Henco Venter – to name a few.
“That’s the most exciting thing for me because there is just so much I can learn,” said Tshituka.
“In those environments, you can only learn and get a lot out of it.
“Competing is something that I have always loved to do. I feel I am constantly held to a high standard in terms of my performance and if you don’t play well and don’t deliver at the highest level then you won’t make the team.
“There is just more pressure in that regard, but it is good pressure.
“It is pressure that helps you grow and pressure that builds.”
Source: Forever Sports
