Ntuthuko Mchunu's journey from schoolboy No 8 to Stormers loosehead cult hero is a story of reluctant conversion done right. In this Gavin Rich feature, Mchunu opens up about how Sean Everitt had to make the same suggestion three times before he took it seriously — initially reading it as a joke, then as a slight on his loose-forward ability, before finally being won over. The turning point, he says, was watching the Bok front row dominate the 2019 World Cup. Seeing Beast, Kitshoff, Marx and company perform at that level reframed scrumming for him entirely, making the coalface feel like somewhere worth being. The piece draws a neat parallel with Mtawarira's own reluctant switch two decades earlier, charting how both men needed a coach's nudge before buying in fully. Now settled at the Stormers after Kitshoff's retirement opened the door, Mchunu is building serious momentum — try-scoring form, scrum dominance against Glasgow, and a first Bok shot back in his sights if the playoff run delivers.
From No 8 to 'New Beast': How Everitt's persistence and the 2019 Boks converted Mchunu to loosehead
Gavin Rich profiles Mchunu's conversion from loose-forward to loosehead, tracing how Everitt's persistence and the 2019 Bok World Cup triumph convinced him the front row was where his future lay — and why he now has one eye on adding to his three Bok caps.
Springboks Through Irish Eyes: Gráinne Seoige on Loftus, Rassie, and Why SA Rugby Is Unlike Anything Else
Irish TV personality Gráinne Seoige tells the Lekker Rugby Pod that walking into Loftus for the 2024 Ireland test was the most intimidating rugby atmosphere she has ever experienced, and argues that Rassie Erasmus's cultural transformation of Springbok rugby is a bigger achievement than the World Cup wins.
Mchunu embracing Stormers move as front-row journey continues
Ntuthuko Mchunu, who captained Maritzburg College at No.8 in 2018, has spoken about his conversion to prop, crediting Sean Everitt with convincing him to make the switch. Now with the Stormers after moving from the Sharks in March 2025, the 27-year-old has three Test caps and is focused on helping the Cape Town side win silverware before pushing for further Bok recognition.
All Blacks' loosehead crisis hands Springboks a ready-made weapon in Greatest Rivalry Series
Jeff Wilson has publicly identified loosehead prop as the All Blacks' most dangerous weakness ahead of four consecutive Tests against the Springboks — with Williams likely out, Tu'ungafasi's future uncertain, and the remaining options short on caps and experience. Set against the depth Erasmus has built across the prop positions, this piece maps out why scrum time could be where the Greatest Rivalry Series is decided.
Stephen Donald: Robertson copied the Boks — Rennie must go back to All Blacks DNA
Stephen Donald backs Hansen's anti-copycat argument, saying Robertson erred by chasing the Springbok blueprint rather than New Zealand's tempo-based strengths — and expects Rennie to correct that course ahead of a blockbuster four-Test series in South Africa.
Mulder's '95 Warning: Don't Sleep on the All Blacks
1995 World Cup winner Japie Mulder warns against writing off the All Blacks ahead of the four-Test series, drawing on South Africa's own underdog story to argue the gap in rankings doesn't guarantee a comfortable series win.