Springbok prop Ntuthuko Mchunu, who made his Test debut in Bloemfontein against Wales in 2022, will earn his third Test cap at the Toyota Stadium on Saturday against Portugal.
“It’s good to be back in Bloemfontein and in the squad, and if I get an opportunity to play this weekend it will be honour I plan to make the most of,” said Mchunu.
“There’s been a lot of growth in the team in the last few months, and many of the players are now more mature, so it’s going to be a big test for the team, just as it is in every other Test match.”
Mchunu, who has been likened to former Springbok prop Tendai Mtawarira in some circles, admitted that while it was a fantastic feeling, he wanted rugby supporters to see him for his qualities rather than a player capable of filling the big boots of the “Beast”.
“’Beast’ set a path for himself in his own right with all his accolades, and if I can achieve even half of that it would be fantastic,” said Mchunu.
“That said, I’d like people to see me as a player with my own set of skills and for what I can offer the team, so I’d prefer to be seen as Ntuthuku.”
The match kicks off at 17h00 on Saturday and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.
