"Rising Lions star Asenathi Ntlabakanye credits fan support for his meteoric rise as he prepares for both the Bulls derby and an upcoming Springbok alignment camp."
The Lions’ crowd favourite, Asenathi Ntlabakanye, is pumped to reward supporters who attend Saturday’s huge United Rugby Championshp derby with the Bulls at Loftus Versfeld.
The big fellow tips the scales at 153kgs and is one of eight Lions to be invited to Bok coach Rassie Erasmus’s Springbok alignment camp that begins on March 9. The St Stithians High School product says his growing relationship with Lions supporters motivates him to keep pushing for his first Springbok cap.
“My interaction with the fans means a lot to me,” the 25-year-old said. “I have been with the Lions since high school, so you build that relationship with the fans and the people of Joburg.
“The knowledge that the supporters are looking to me to deliver gives me that extra motivation to keep going when the game gets tough,” he added.
“It boosts me to hear people get excited when I tackle someone or take up the ball. I hear the fans and it drives me on.”
Ntlabakanye’s observations sound much like those of Sharks and Springbok hero Tendai “The Beast” Mtawrira.
The big guy says he would love to emulate The Beast and play for South Africa.
“Of course, I want to play for the Springboks but I can only focus on helping my team achieve,” Ntlabakanye said.
“There are always many Lions supporters at our games in Pretoria. There is a lot of rivalry between the fans on the Highveld and this weekend is going to be another epic battle.”