Asenathi Ntlabakanye’s Springbok debut this weekend is more than a career milestone — it’s the result of a two-year transformation that saw the Lions tighthead prop shed almost 20 kilograms and commit to intensive training under scrum coach Daan Human.
Once weighing 158kg, the 26-year-old now starts in the front row for South Africa’s first match of the season, rewarded for his relentless work ethic and raw potential.
When Ntlabakanye jogs out at Cape Town Stadium to start for the Springboks against the Barbarians, it won’t just be the beginning of a new Test season — it’ll mark the culmination of a personal transformation two years in the making.
Once tipping the scales at 158kg, the Lions tighthead prop now weighs in at a leaner, more mobile 140kg. Still a formidable presence in the front row, Ntlabakanye has earned his Springbok call-up not just through size or scrumming power, but by reshaping his body and mindset to meet international standards.
A JOURNEY FORGED IN COMMITMENT
Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus revealed the extent of the 26-year-old’s dedication ahead of his first appearance in Green and Gold.
“We started looking at Ntlabakanye two years ago,” Erasmus said. “We started tracking his battle rates, and it’s up there with the other guys.”
Recognising the raw potential, Erasmus, along with scrum coach Daan Human, put a plan into motion. With the blessing of the Lions’ coaching staff, Ntlabakanye began travelling from Johannesburg to Human’s farm near Bloemfontein — a four-hour drive each way — to work on his conditioning, technique, and understanding of the Springbok system.
“Whenever there was a break, he drove to Bloemfontein, went to the farm and dropped 15 to 18 kilograms,” Erasmus said. “He stayed there for a week at a time and Daan worked with him – with the support of the Lions and their CEO. That level of commitment deserves reward.”
NTLABAKANYE PROVES RUGBY IS A GAME FOR ALL SHAPES AND SIZES
Erasmus used the opportunity to challenge long-held perceptions about body types in elite rugby.
“There were always comments that players like Cheslin Kolbe and Kurt-Lee Arendse were too light,” he said. “But what part of the game don’t they man up in? They tackle, they win aerial contests, they beat defenders.”
The same principle, Erasmus said, applies to larger players like Ntlabakanye — often judged unfairly by their physique rather than performance.
“Frans Malherbe is not a front-page model, but hell, he can play,” Erasmus quipped. “He does his job in the front row. Asenathi has an unbelievable touch and feel for the game, just like Neethling Fouché and Ox Nche. We’re not just talking about scrummaging.”
MORE THAN JUST A PROP
Ntlabakanye’s rise is not simply a feel-good story of physical change, but a testament to a player willing to put in the work away from the spotlight. His time spent on Human’s farm was as much about mental toughness as it was about weight loss and technical refinement.
For Erasmus, it’s clear: the Springboks aren’t just looking for athletes — they’re looking for players who buy into the bigger picture.
“Let’s hope he can now perform at Test match level,” Erasmus said. “That will be great.”
Regardless of how the match unfolds, Ntlabakanye’s inclusion represents the kind of hard-earned opportunity that defines the Springbok culture — one rooted in resilience, honesty, and the will to get better.
HOW DO YOU THINK WILL NTLABAKANYE PERFORM IN HIS FIRST SPRINGBOK MATCH?
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