Martin_Sithole
Martin Sithole
South African rugby union player
Simphiwe Martin Sithole (born 3 February 1984 in Pietermaritzburg) is a South African rugby union player for the Falcons in the Currie Cup and the Rugby Challenge.[1] His regular position is flanker.
| Full name | Simphiwe Martin Sithole | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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| Date of birth | (1984-02-03) 3 February 1984 (age 40) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Place of birth | Pietermaritzburg, South Africa | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Height | 1.81 m (5 ft 11+1⁄2 in) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Weight | 95 kg (14 st 13 lb; 209 lb) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| School | Kusasalethu SS | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| University | Vuselela College | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| Rugby union career | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Youth
He represented the Pumas at the 1997 Under-13 Craven Week tournament, at Under-17 level in 2002 and at the Under-18 Craven Week in 2001 and 2002. He played in the youth Currie Cup tournaments at Under-19 level in 2002 and Under-20 level in 2003.
In 2004, he joined the Leopards, whom he represented in various youth competitions, as well as being included in the 2005 Vodacom Cup squad, without making an appearance.
Pumas
In wasn't until 2008 following a return to the Pumas that he made his first class provincial debut. He was included in their squad for the 2008 Vodacom Cup competition and came on as a substitute against the Natal Wildebeest.[2]
He quickly became a regular in the first team, making 37 appearances in both the Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup competitions between 2008 and 2011.
Griffons
By 2011, he was largely limited to substitute appearances at the Pumas and moved to Welkom to join the Griffons during the 2011 Currie Cup First Division season.
He was a key member of their 2014 Currie Cup First Division-winning side. He played off the bench in the final and helped the Griffons win the match 23–21[3] to win their first trophy for six years.[4]
Representative rugby
In 2002, he played for a South African Schools side against France and Wales. Three years later, he represented the South African Under-21s at the 2005 Under 21 Rugby World Championship, playing in one game.
He was also selected for the South African Barbarians (North) team against England that toured South Africa as part of the 2012 mid-year rugby test series.[5]
- "SA Rugby Player Profile – Martin Sithole". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
- "SA Rugby Match Centre – Wildebeest 10–30 Pumas". South African Rugby Union. 23 February 2008. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- "SA Rugby Match Centre – Down Touch Griffons 23–21 Valke". South African Rugby Union. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 27 July 2016.
- "Currie Cup Griffons win First Division title". Sport24. 17 October 2014. Retrieved 21 October 2014.
- "SA Barbarians teams named". Sport24. 28 May 2012. Retrieved 28 May 2013.