Mthetheleli Godfrey 'Tazz' Fuzani (born 18 January 1991) is a South African rugby union player for the Pumas in the Currie Cup and in the Rugby Challenge.[1] His regular position is lock, but he has also started as a prop.

Tazz Fuzani
Full nameMthetheleli Godfrey Fuzani
Date of birth (1991-01-18) 18 January 1991 (age 33)
Place of birthUitenhage, South Africa
Height1.97 m (6 ft 5+12 in)
Weight116 kg (18 st 4 lb; 256 lb)
SchoolHTS Bellville
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock / Prop
Current team Pumas
Youth career
2008 Western Province
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2012–2013 UWC 11 (5)
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2013–2014 Western Province 15 (0)
2015–2016 Eastern Province Kings 21 (5)
2017–19 Pumas 11 (0)
Correct as of 8 July 2019

Career

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Youth and Varsity Rugby

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Fuzani was part of the Western Province squad at the 2008 Under-18 Academy Week. In 2011, he was included in the UWC squad for the 2011 Varsity Shield competition and played twice in the 2012 Varsity Shield competition, starting the match against UKZN Impi as a prop.[2] In 2013, he firmly established himself in the team under former South Africa national rugby union team coach Peter de Villiers, starting all nine matches.

Western Province

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Fuzani was included in Western Province's squad for the 2013 Vodacom Cup and made his first class debut for them a mere five days after playing his final 2013 Varsity Shield match, starting their match against Border Bulldogs in Paarl.[3] He played in all five remaining matches in that competition and was also included in the 2013 Currie Cup squad,[4] subsequently being named in the starting line-up for Western Province's Round Six match against the Blue Bulls.[5]

Stormers

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In 2014, Fuzani was called up to the Stormers team for the 2014 Super Rugby season and was included on the bench for their match against the Reds in Brisbane.[6]

Eastern Province Kings

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In July 2014, Fuzani's agent confirmed that he would leave Cape Town at the end of the 2014 season and join Port Elizabeth-based side Eastern Province Kings on a two-year contract.[7] He made his debut for the EP Kings by starting their first match of the 2015 Vodacom Cup season, a 19–27 defeat to defending champions Griquas.[8]

References

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  1. ^ "SA Rugby Player Profile – Tazz Fuzani". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 29 May 2016.
  2. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – UKZN 29–32 UWC". South African Rugby Union. 26 March 2012. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  3. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – DHL Western Province 22–13 Border Bulldogs". South African Rugby Union. 6 April 2013. Retrieved 13 July 2016.
  4. ^ "SA Rugby Squad – DHL Western Province : 2013 Absa Currie Cup Premier Division". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 3 June 2016.
  5. ^ "Fuzani set for WP debut". SuperSport. 11 September 2013. Retrieved 11 September 2013.
  6. ^ "Seven changes for Stormers". Rugby365. 26 March 2014. Retrieved 26 March 2014.
  7. ^ "Control Alt Delete gaan by Kings kook" (in Afrikaans). Die Burger. 4 July 2014. Retrieved 3 July 2014.
  8. ^ "SA Rugby Match Centre – EP Kings 19–27 GWK Griquas". South African Rugby Union. 21 March 2015. Retrieved 13 July 2016.