Lions star Vincent Tshituka eager to carry form into new year

Exciting loose forward talent Vincent Tshituka is keen to build on a solid start to the United Rugby Championship with the Lions and continue growing as a player.

Tshituka’s impressive form has been central to the Lions picking up two wins in their five games so far in the competition, with the team ending the year as the highest-placed South African side on the URC log.

ALSO READ: SA campaign back on track as URC matches get green light

“My personal goal for the URC competition is just growth and improvement. I want to develop myself more and keep my strengths while improving on my weaknesses and just continue to build going forward,” explained Tshituka.

“So week in and week out I use that in every game that I play as an opportunity to better myself and show myself what I am capable of and to improve in every way I possibly can.

“More than anything I want to be a holistic player and someone the team can rely on whenever needed.”

The Lions’ recent four-match tour to Europe was Tshituka’s first out the country and had a big impact on him.

“It was my first time traveling to the UK and Italy, so it was amazing for me just to see the different cultures and explore and to see what the UK had to offer, which I really enjoyed,” he said.

ALSO READ: Lions lead the hunt as SA teams battle for ERCC spots

Looking ahead to the new year, the Lions and Tshituka will be eager to build on their final match of the 2021 campaign, an impressive 37-19 bonus-point win over the Stormers, with Tshituka named Man of the Match.

“It was the last game of the season and it had been a while since we had been on the field, so I was just excited to play some rugby again. I think the team just came together really well in the match and I just happened to be on the receiving end of a great team performance,” Tshituka said.

“The Stormers win was massive for the team and was fantastic for our confidence going into the rest of the competition. It also helped us with our placing on the log, has given us a real boost and was the best way to close off the year on a high note.”