Lizo Gqoboka: Saying Goodbye to a Springbok Star

1 min read
south african rugby lizo gqoboka

South African Rugby bids farewell to one of its finest players, Lizo Gqoboka, as he transitions to a new club. Gqoboka, popularly known as GQ, recently left the Bulls, where he has had a fruitful tenure, with two Currie Cup victories and a Super Rugby Unlocked title to his credit. The Springbok forward has also played two test matches for South Africa, along with three appearances for South Africa A and a Springbok XV side between 2016 and 2019.

Moving On to New Challenges

Gqoboka’s new club has yet to be confirmed by the player and his management team. However, rumors suggest that the Stormers are likely to be his next destination, following their recent signing of Lions prop Sti Sithole. If this is true, the Stormers’ squad will undoubtedly benefit from Gqoboka’s experience and talent.

Newsletter

Stay Informed • Cape Town

Get breaking news, events, and local stories delivered to your inbox daily. All the news that matters in under 5 minutes.

Join 10,000+ readers
No spam, unsubscribe anytime

Grateful for the Bulls

Upon his departure from Loftus, Gqoboka expressed heartfelt gratitude for the unwavering support he received from the Bulls’ die-hard fans throughout the years. He also acknowledged the coaches, teammates, and behind-the-scenes heroes who helped him reach his full potential and recover from injuries during his eight-year tenure.

“It was an honor to represent such a great club,” said Gqoboka, reflecting on his time at the Bulls. “I am thankful for all the memories and lessons.”

Looking to the Future

Despite the bittersweet goodbye, Gqoboka remains excited about the future and considers himself fortunate to have been part of the Bulls family. He promises to return to Loftus as a visitor in the near future and offered well-wishes to his former teammates and coaches, stating, “I wish everyone all of the very best for the future.”

Legacy and Impact

As one chapter closes for this Springbok powerhouse, another begins. Gqoboka’s undeniable talent, passion, and drive will make his new club, whoever they may be, very fortunate indeed. As we await the prop’s next move, we take a moment to appreciate the impact he has made on South African rugby and his enduring legacy at Loftus.

Thabo Sebata is a Cape Town-based journalist who covers the intersection of politics and daily life in South Africa's legislative capital, bringing grassroots perspectives to parliamentary reporting from his upbringing in Gugulethu. When not tracking policy shifts or community responses, he finds inspiration hiking Table Mountain's trails and documenting the city's evolving food scene in Khayelitsha and Bo-Kaap. His work has appeared in leading South African publications, where his distinctive voice captures the complexities of a nation rebuilding itself.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published.

Previous Story

Janine van Wyk’s Journey from Heartbreak to Coaching and Mentoring

Next Story

Banyana Banyana’s Journey to the FIFA Women’s World Cup: A Symphony of Emotions

Latest from Blog

When Gold Turns to Groceries: The Afterlife of a 1995 Springbok Medal

Adriaan Richter, a 1995 Springbok rugby hero, had to auction his World Cup medal because life tackled him hard. After business dreams crashed and debts piled up, that shining medal became his last hope. It wasn’t just gold; it was a lifeline, sold to cover his children’s school fees and keep his family afloat. This onceproud symbol of victory became a stark reminder of life’s tough scrums, showing how even a hero’s glory can turn into groceries.

When a 73-Second Clip Shook Bafana: Anatomy of a Racism Storm

A 73second video of Bafana Bafana coach Hugo Broos scolding a player ignited a huge racism storm in South African football. People online shared the clip, saying a white coach was putting down a black player. This caused a big fight about race, gender, and class in the sport. SAFA worked hard to show the full video and defend their coach. In the end, the player’s mother and the team captain helped calm things down, showing the country’s complicated feelings about race.

21:00 Tonight: 83 Million Reasons to Hold Your Breath

Tonight at 9 PM, South Africa holds its breath for the PowerBall lottery. Eightythree million rand is up for grabs, a lifechanging amount for someone lucky. People pick five numbers and one PowerBall number, hoping their dreams come true. Even though winning is super hard, everyone imagines what they’d do with the money. It’s a moment when the whole country pauses, dreaming big dreams for just a few minutes.

A Night for Cravings, A Grave for Two: The Shanice Rudolph Story

Shanice Rudolph, a 23yearold pregnant woman, vanished after a quick trip to the corner shop and was found buried in Klip Road Cemetery. She and her unborn son tragically died from brutal bluntforce trauma, likely from a concrete rod. “Oom Boeta,” a backyard mechanic known to her family, has been arrested in connection with this heartbreaking double murder. This case has ignited fury, with activists demanding justice and stronger laws against violence towards pregnant women.