Stairs Mhlongo

Sthembiso Santo 'Stairs' Mhlongo (born 13 May 1987 in Edendale, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa) is a South African rugby union player who last played for the Leopards.[1] His regular position is lock.

Stairs Mhlongo
Full nameSthembiso Santo Mhlongo
Date of birth (1987-05-13) 13 May 1987
Place of birthEdendale, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
Height2.01 m (6 ft 7 in)
Weight115 kg (18 st 2 lb; 254 lb)
SchoolSiyahlomula High School
UniversityUniversity of Pretoria
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2011–2012 UP Tuks 11 (5)
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2013 Border Bulldogs 9 (5)
2014–2015 Leopards XV 8 (10)
2014–2018 Leopards 48 (10)
Correct as of 27 October 2018

Career

Youth and Varsity rugby

Mhlongo was part of the Sharks Academy, but failed to represent them at any level. Instead, he moved to Pretoria in 2011, where he was part of the UP Tuks side that participated in and reached the final of the 2011 Varsity Cup competition. His participation was limited however, making just three substitute appearances. He once again played for them in the 2012 Varsity Cup tournament, which saw UP Tuks win the title for the first time. Mhlongo also saw more game time in 2012, appearing in every single match from the second round onwards. He scored one try (in their final regular season match against the UCT Ikey Tigers)[2] and also played the final twenty minutes of the final, where the Pretoria side triumphed 29–21 against a Maties side that previously won the first three editions of the competition.[3]

Border Bulldogs

In 2013, he moved to East London, joining the Border Bulldogs for the 2013 Currie Cup First Division competition.[4] He got involved in first team action straight away, making his first class debut in the opening match of the season, a 12–36 home loss to the SWD Eagles.[5] He started in eight of the Bulldogs' matches during the competition, also scoring one try against the Falcons in his fourth match.[6]

Mhlongo was one of several players released by the Border Bulldogs at the end of the 2013 as their financial troubles intensified[7] and them eventually declared bankrupt.[8]

Leopards

He moved to Potchefstroom for the 2014 Vodacom Cup campaign to join the Leopards.[9] He started six of their seven matches during the competition, scoring tries in their matches against the Limpopo Blue Bulls[10] and the Griffons.[11]

He was a member of the Leopards team that won the 2015 Currie Cup First Division.[12] He featured in a total of ten matches during the 2015 Currie Cup qualification rounds and First Division proper. However, he didn't feature in the final, where the Leopards beat the SWD Eagles 44–20 to win the competition for the first time in their history.

References
  1. "SA Rugby Player Profile – Stairs Mhlongo". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  2. "SA Rugby Match Centre – UCT 18-29 Tuks". South African Rugby Union. 19 March 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  3. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Tuks 29-21 Maties". South African Rugby Union. 9 April 2012. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  4. "SA Rugby Squad – Border Bulldogs : 2013 Absa Currie Cup First Division". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  5. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Border Bulldogs 12-36 SWD Eagles". South African Rugby Union. 28 June 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  6. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Valke 34-29 Border Bulldogs". South African Rugby Union. 26 July 2013. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  7. "Border crisis hits players hard". SA Rugby Mag. 13 November 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2013.
  8. "Bankrupt BRFU can't pay staff". Daily Dispatch. 16 January 2014. Retrieved 17 January 2014.
  9. "SA Rugby Squad – Leopards XV : 2014 Vodacom Cup". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  10. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Assupol Limpopo Blue Bulls 10-71 Leopards XV". South African Rugby Union. 15 March 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  11. "SA Rugby Match Centre – Down Touch Griffons 15-35 Leopards XV". South African Rugby Union. 4 April 2014. Retrieved 6 December 2016.
  12. "Leopards clinch Absa Currie Cup First Division title in style". South African Rugby Union. 8 October 2015. Retrieved 8 October 2015.
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