Vincent Tshituka's rugby story begins thousands of kilometres from any South African rugby field. Born in the Democratic Republic of Congo, he arrived in Johannesburg as a four-year-old refugee in 2002, carrying a heritage he would never forget and stepping into a country that would become home.
"Being born in the DRC and growing up in South Africa shaped everything about me," Tshituka reflects. "Being Congolese is my heritage and South Africa is my Home."
At Northcliff High School, rugby was never about professional ambitions. It was simpler than that. "I started playing rugby in grade 8. I was always an outdoor kid, so all I cared for was having fun and competing with and against mates," he says. His coaches saw something beyond the playground battles, opening his eyes to possibilities he hadn't imagined.
The pathway from Northcliff to the University of Johannesburg, then to the Lions and Hollywoodbets Sharks, wasn't walked alone. "Firstly, my older brother Naisvic started playing the game and loved it so much it became contagious," Tshituka explains. His parents supported him through difficult times despite rugby being unfamiliar territory. Coach Joey Mongalo gave him his break, plucking him from a UJ young guns team for a Lions opportunity.
Now, as Sharks captain and a Springbok, Vincent shares the field with his brother Emmanuel, a partnership that runs deeper than rugby. "Walking this journey alongside my brother Emmanuel has been one of the biggest blessings in my life. We pushed each other, competed with each other, encouraged each other, and held each other accountable."
For Tshituka, Vodacom URC's Origin Round isn't just commemoration. "Origin to me means remembering where you come from. The how, the why and the reasons that all that you have today is even possible." His message to young players echoes his own path: "Trust God’s timing, never forget your roots, and never forget your why."
From the DRC to the Springboks, a journey measuring more than distance.