Ntutuco Mchunu, who has been on the periphery of the Springbok team since 2022, having played only three matches for the national side, hopes to relaunch his international career with a strong performance against Scotland on Saturday.
Motivation and Career Growth
Mchunu stated his determination to use this opportunity, as last year's move from the Sharks to the Stormers contributed to the flourishing of his game. The 23-year-old athlete noted that it is a great honor for him to return to the Springbok squad and continue the confidence he built during the URC season.
He emphasized that the coaches ensure the maintenance of the level of play achieved at the franchise level and require players to bring new value and participate in the Springbok team's plans.
Playing History and Changes
Mchunu's debut for the Boks squad took place in 2022 in a match against Wales in Bloemfontein. In 2023, he was not included in the squad, and in 2024, he received two substitute appearances, after which he did not play in 2025.
This loosehead prop believes that the change of environment from Durban to Cape Town played a role in the revival of his career. He mentioned that he likes the atmosphere at the Stormers because it suits him, and sometimes it is useful to hear a different perspective. Although rugby remains rugby, he adapted very quickly in Cape Town.
The desire to return to the Springboks strongly motivated him. He also recalled an injury last year and the subsequent call-up in November for the tour, although he did not take the field. Returning to Wednesday's training session sparked a drive in him to improve and get back into the squad.
Training Process and Player Role
Mchunu explained that despite participating in the away match, he never knew exactly when he would step onto the field. He added that they have been training together for about five weeks, and his role changes depending on the week. He clarified that the mentality does not suddenly change on Monday just because other players performed well last week; they train very intensely regardless of that.
According to him, when it is his turn to play, the standard remains the same or even increases. Nothing fundamentally changes, only his role shifts—for example, one week he might support the player who is playing during that period, and another week he might take responsibility for the game or maintain the set standard.
