Why Ntuthuko Mchunu is back in the Springbok picture

There was never much doubt about Ntuthuko Mchunu’s talent. The question was always when it would all come together.

Tipped from a young age as the next great South African loosehead, with Springbok legend Tendai “Beast” Mtawarira declaring him “the real deal”, Mchunu has finally produced the kind of season that has transformed potential into undeniable proof.

His move from the Sharks to the Stormers has been the catalyst.

The 27-year-old loosehead didn’t just revive his career in Cape Town, he established himself as one of the United Rugby Championship’s premier front-row forwards, forcing his way back into the Springbok conversation through performances that were impossible to ignore.

Mchunu played 724 minutes during the 2025/26 URC campaign, but it was the quality of those minutes that stood out.

In an era where props are expected to contribute beyond the scrum, Mchunu became one of the competition’s most complete forwards. He carried for 192 metres, beat 22 defenders and crossed for six tries – remarkable returns for a front-rower.

No prop in the URC beat more defenders than the powerful loosehead, while he ranked in the competition’s top five percent among props for both metres carried and try assists.

His all-round game was equally impressive. Mchunu completed 19 passes at a 90 percent success rate, produced two try assists and recorded 84 touches, showing just how involved he was in the Stormers’ attacking patterns.

The defensive side of his game also reached another level. He completed 65 tackles at an average of almost six per match, underlining the consistency that has become a hallmark of his game.

Those numbers tell the story of a modern Test prop, one capable of dominating set-piece exchanges while offering genuine impact with ball in hand.

It is little surprise, then, that the Springbok selectors came calling again.

“First and foremost, it is a privilege to be back in the Springbok mix, and being able to build on the confidence I established from the URC season,” Mchunu said.

“The coaches here do well in making sure that whatever standard you had at your franchise level, you keep it and build on it. You have to add value and contribute to the plans for the Springbok team.”

Standing 1.88 metres tall and weighing 123 kilograms, Mchunu has always possessed the physical attributes to thrive at international level.

The Greytown-born prop rose quickly through the Sharks’ system after starring as a schoolboy in KwaZulu-Natal. He announced himself with a stunning 50-metre solo try against the Lions in 2021 before scoring a memorable brace against the same opponents two years later to help send the Sharks into a domestic semi-final.

Yet consistency at the highest level proved elusive.

He made his Springbok debut against Wales in Bloemfontein in 2022 before slipping out of the picture. There were no appearances in 2023 and two caps off the bench in 2024.

Rather than becoming discouraged, Mchunu embraced the opportunity to start afresh in Cape Town.

“At the Stormers, I really enjoy the environment. It suits me,” he explained.

“Sometimes it is good to hear a different voice. At the end of the day, rugby is rugby, but I settled in very quickly in Cape Town.

“The urge to get back to the Boks contributed a lot. I also recall last year I got injured and then got a call-up to the November tour. Although I did not play, being back in the environment ignited the drive to improve and get back into the squad.”

Now back in the national set-up, Mchunu insists nothing changes when selection comes his way.

“We’ve been together now for a good five weeks, and depending on the week, your role changes,” he said.

“It’s not that your mindset suddenly shifts on a Monday just because the other guys played well the week before. We’ve been training really hard regardless.

“When it’s your turn, the standard stays the same, if not higher. Nothing really changes, but your role shifts from maybe supporting the guy playing that week and this week it’s your turn to lift it or keep the same standard.”