The Sharks have made swift work locking down a beastly presence in the Springbok front row for the foreseeable future.
Loosehead prop Ntuthuko Mchunu has signed a new two-year deal that will see him remain in Durban until the end of the 2025 season.
Combining surprising athleticism with raw force in contact, the 24-year-old’s play evokes memories of Springbok and Sharks icon Tendai ‘Beast’ Mtawarira’s early years as a fearsome front ranker.
Like Mtawarira, Mchunu’s rugby journey started in the loose trio, where his power manifested in heavy duty carries and shuddering collisions for Maritzburg College.
Another two years of bulldozing runs from our prop!#FearTheFin #BackOnTheDottedLine pic.twitter.com/7TR4HqS8rk
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) May 1, 2023
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However, his high-school coaches took the view that the career prospects of the 1.88-metre Mchunu would be brighter in the front row than as a loose forward.
Mchunu earned his first Bok call-up and made his Test debut in the home series against Wales in July 2022, capping a meteoric rise for the youngster.
The hulking Marnus Potgieter, who can play centre or wing, has also put pen to paper on a new deal that will keep the 23-year-old at The Shark Tank for another three years.
Our winger has signed on the dotted line! ??#FearTheFin #BackOnTheDottedLine pic.twitter.com/1qOymUbeFF
— The Sharks (@SharksRugby) April 30, 2023
Their contract extension comes on the back of the renewal by Bok flyhalf Curwin Bosch and promising loose forward Phepsi Buthelezi.
Photo: Steve Haag/Gallo Images