| Full name | Vincent Tshikaya Tshituka | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Born | (1998-09-10) 10 September 1998 | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.95 m (6 ft 5 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 107 kg (236 lb; 16 st 12 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Northcliff High School | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Notable relative | Emmanuel Tshituka (brother) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Vincent Tshikaya Tshituka (born 10 September 1998) is a Congolese born South African rugby union player for the Sharks in United Rugby Championship.[2] His regular position is flank.
Early life
Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Tshituka emigrated with his family, including younger brother Emmanuel Tshituka, to South Africa in 2002.[3] Prior to playing rugby, he focused on hip-hop dancing, and intended on pursuing a degree in software and app development.[3] Tshituka first played rugby while attending University of Johannesburg.[4]
Club career
Lions
Tshituka made his debut for the Lions during the 2019 Super Rugby season, as a substitute against the Bulls, before making his first start the following week against the Jaguares.[5] He was named as URC Player of the Month for April 2022.[6]
Sharks
Ahead of the 2022–23 United Rugby Championship, Tshituka signed with the Sharks.[7] He made his debut alongside Eben Etzebeth for the Sharks against Glasgow Warriors in October 2022.[8]
He signed an extension in December 2024, despite interest from clubs in Europe.[9][10] Tshituka was named as the Sharks Player of the Year in June 2025.[11] Tshituka has served as captain on numerous occasions.[12]
International career
South Africa
In 2024, he gained South African citizenship, making him eligible to represent South Africa.[13]
In June 2025, he played for South Africa in an uncapped friendly against the Barbarians, scoring twice.[14]
Tshituka made his international debut on 5 July 2025, against Italy.[15]
References
- ^ "Rugby star Vincent Tshituka scores big ambassadorship". The South African. 6 June 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
- ^ "SA Rugby Player Profile – Vincent Tshituka". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 25 August 2018.
- ^ a b "'My mum never let us see her cry' - The Tshituka brothers' story of the sword and shield". www.rugbypass.com. 10 April 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
- ^ "Vincent Tshituka's Journey from Refugee to Springbok Completes with Test Debut Against Italy | Central News South Africa". 5 July 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
- ^ Westhuyzen, Jacques van der (13 March 2019). "Lions flanker Tshituka enjoys just being himself". IOL. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
- ^ "Tshituka voted Vodacom United Rugby Championship Player of the Month for April". SA Rugby. Archived from the original on 25 May 2022. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
- ^ Roche, Ross (9 May 2022). "Big blow for Lions as Vincent Tshituka joins Sharks". The Citizen. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
- ^ Coetzee, Dylan (12 October 2022). "URC: The Sharks set to unleash Eben Etzebeth and Vincent Tshituka". Planet Rugby. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
- ^ "Tshituka sticks around at Shark Tank". SA Rugby magazine. 17 December 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
- ^ "The Vincent Tshituka twist in Siya Kolisi's Parisian escape". www.rugbypass.com. 5 August 2024. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
- ^ "PLAYER OF THE YEAR AWARDS". The Sharks Durban. 18 June 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
- ^ "No Kolisi as Sharks surprise with captaincy". rugby365.com. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
- ^ Wright, Jared (21 August 2024). "Springboks back-row boost as hugely talented brothers become available for Rassie Erasmus' selection". Planet Rugby. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
- ^ "Eight-try Boks strike 50 in season opener". SA Rugby magazine. 28 June 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
- ^ "Tshituka to make Test debut for Boks against Italy". SA Rugby. Archived from the original on 16 September 2025. Retrieved 28 December 2025.
