Mzwanele Richman Zito (born 23 November 1988) is a South African rugby union player, currently playing with Carcassonne in the French Pro D2.[1] His regular position is lock.

Mzwanele Zito
Full nameMzwanele Richman Zito
Date of birth (1988-11-23) 23 November 1988 (age 36)
Place of birthUitenhage, South Africa
Height1.95 m (6 ft 5 in)
Weight108 kg (238 lb; 17 st 0 lb)
SchoolSolomon Mahlangu High School
UniversityBoland College
Rugby union career
Position(s) Lock
Current team Cheetahs / Free State Cheetahs
Youth career
2006 Eastern Province Kings
2007–2009 Western Province
Amateur team(s)
Years Team Apps (Points)
2011–2013 NMMU Madibaz 21 (0)
Senior career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2013 Eastern Province Kings 1 (0)
2013–2015 SWD Eagles 47 (30)
2016–2017 Griquas 21 (10)
2017 Southern Kings 9 (0)
2017 Eastern Province Kings 4 (0)
2017–2019 Carcassonne 43 (15)
2020–2022 Griquas 16 (10)
2022– Cheetahs ()
2023– Free State Cheetahs ()
Correct as of 10 July 2022
International career
Years Team Apps (Points)
2006 South Africa Under-19
Correct as of 22 April 2018

Career

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Zito played for the Eastern Province Kings in the 2006 Under-18 Academy Week and was included in the South Africa squad that competed in the Confederation of African Rugby Under-18 tournament. He joined Western Province and played for them at Under-19 and Under-21 level. Despite being included in their squad for the 2009 Vodacom Cup, he did not make an appearance.

Zito then played for the NMMU Madibaz in the 2011, 2012 and 2013 Varsity Cup competitions, which earned him a call-up to the Eastern Province Kings 2013 Vodacom Cup squad. He made his debut against Free State XV.[2]

After the 2013 Vodacom Cup season, he signed a two-year contract with the SWD Eagles prior to the 2013 Currie Cup First Division.[3]

Griquas

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Zito joined Kimberley-based side Griquas for the 2016 season.[4]

Carcassonne

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Zito moved to France to join Pro D2 side Carcassonne as a medical joker in August 2017.[5]

References

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  1. ^ "SA Rugby Player Profile – Mzwanele Zito". South African Rugby Union. Retrieved 1 June 2016.
  2. ^ "Eastern Province Kings team named against Free State". MyPE.co.za. 4 April 2013. Retrieved 4 April 2013.
  3. ^ Gerber, Jeremy (9 May 2013). "4 van NMMU nou Arende". Die Son (in Afrikaans). Media24. Archived from the original on 13 January 2014. Retrieved 15 May 2013.
  4. ^ "VS o.21-losskakel beskikbaar vir Griekwas". Netwerk24 (in Afrikaans). 27 October 2015. Retrieved 26 October 2015.
  5. ^ "Mzwanele Zito s'engage avec l'USC" (Press release) (in French). US Carcassonne. 30 August 2017. Retrieved 31 August 2017.