Introducing Vince Tshituka, the ballroom dancer who became a Lions flank

20-year-old Vince Tshituka announced himself to the broader rugby public with a composed performance on his Super Rugby debut against the Jaguares last week.

The gangly blindside flanker made some typically useful attacking contributions, but really impressed on defence in a game where that wasn’t a priority in particular.

It seems then that he’s set for a few more opportunities.

Here’s what you need to know about him.

He loves defending … like properly infatuated with it…

More than anything, I want my trademark to be my ability to defend. That’s the aspect I take most pride in when it comes to the game. I hate missing tackles. In general, I’d like to tick all the boxes of a No 7. I personally was very disappointed when we let in those two soft tries in the dying moments of last weekend’s game.

He’s quite the dancer…

I used to do a lot of dancing. In primary school I did ballroom dancing. When I got to high school, I did a lot of hip-hop and danced with a bunch of friends. We participated in quite a few competitions. When I started to concentrate more on my rugby, I stopped. Now, it’s far more casual.

If you’re going to apply ballroom dancing to rugby, I’d probably say that synchronisation is a principle that is key. You need to be synchronised with your partner. The same applies to the scrum. Everyone needs to be synchronised with the engage and the set-up. 

He wasn’t a particularly good wing…

I attended Northcliff High. It’s a great school, probably just not the most visible one when it comes to rugby. I started as a wing, but I wasn’t a very good one. I then moved to flank and lock. One of my fondest memories came in my Under-16 year. I used to hold the ball like a loaf of bread and run with it sideways. 

I did that a lot in one game specifically and after the game my coach absolutely lambasted me. He lost his mind. He pulled me aside and said: “Listen, I can’t do this anymore! I can’t handle this! Just run straight. If you get tackled, so what?”

I was so emotional at the time because I thought I’d contributed! (laughs) Ever since I’ve never run sideways on a field again! I tuck the ball under my arm now when I carry. That moment was hard on me, but it helped me so much for the rest of my career.

His early rugby idols were actually foreigner…

Honestly, I never looked up to any forwards when I was young. Like I said, I started as a wing. I feel I bring something different, so I don’t try to look up to anyone in particular. I like to focus on my own game. I do though enjoy watching people play, their gifts and weaknesses. I can’t say there’s somebody specific I want to be like. 

Very early on, I did enjoy watching (former All Black wing) Rene Ranger and (England midfielder) Manu Tuilagi. 

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