There was a singular moment during the Lions’ clash against the All Blacks at Ellis Park — a standout fixture in the recently concluded Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry — that captured everything special about the modern game. It was a sequence built on high-speed ambition, instinct, and raw athleticism, and it sent the Johannesburg crowd into a frenzy.
Fielding an up-and-under, Lions wing Erich Cronje managed to offload possession to a ranging Siba Mahashe, who was haring down the touchline. The latter outpaced Kiwi centre Rieko Ioane, leaving fellow No 6 Wallace Sititi in his wake, with only a desperate tackle from a covering Richie Mo’unga halting his momentum.
Nonetheless, Mahashe managed to pop the ball backwards, avoiding touch as he did so, the ball falling back onto the feet of Cronje, who nudged it towards the tryline and then completed the move by dotting down for a brilliant try and a 28-17 lead.
There were plenty of elated Lions fans — perhaps even a few All Black supporters — who delighted in the play, exhilarated by the move and enthused by the movement, especially that of Mahashe. Earlier in the match, the former Junior Springbok had also read the All Blacks' play off their line-out, had bolted forward to intercept and streaked away for a try.
Mahashe had a seriously good outing on the night — he was the Player of the Match, after all — but besides that, it was also the type of performance that builds a cult following, instant recognition and a growing expectation among fans that something special is brewing which could bubble up into colours involving Green and Gold.
In that regard, Mahashe has had a few sips of the brew — earlier this year he donned the national colours for an SA ‘A’ match against Zimbabwe in Gqeberha, where he played for 31 minutes in a 40-0 victory over the Sables. Before that, he represented the nation as a Baby Bok in the World Rugby Under-20 Championship in 2024.
During his debut season for the Lions — he made his first appearance for the team in their EPCR Champions Cup group clash against Lyon in January, followed by a first United Rugby Championship (URC) cap against the Sharks a month later — Mahashe has stamped his authority on the No 6 jumper at the union. He would go on to play nine matches in the URC, scoring five tries in the process.
Despite his most recent exploits against the New Zealanders being the type of moments that could define a career for many, the 22-year-old is only getting started. He not only looks upon his efforts from that game fondly, but it is his description of the Cronje try that is a telling insight into what Mahashe considers important in rugby.
'An unreal moment'
Said Mahashe: "Everyone grows up watching the Springboks against the All Blacks, so watching the Haka and actually experiencing it was an unreal moment for me.
"Talking about that passage of the game, it first started with a great kick-off receive from the team, and then Nico Steyn kicked a great box kick. Cronje contested it, and he gave it to me, and I just ran down the line and I passed it back to him, and he eventually scored.
"What's nice about that clip is that it was just a team effort. Everyone had their input, everyone knew their detail, and everyone just backed each other with their decisions. So, it was a good moment."
Born in Mdantsane, just outside KuGompo (East London) in the Eastern Cape, Mahashe grew up in Amalinda. He would attend Crewe Primary School nearby, and it is there in the heart of KuGompo that he would fall in love with rugby. A scholarship to Hudson Park High School — who also fostered the talents of Springboks Odwa and Akona Ndungane — followed, before acknowledgement of his abilities at the Craven Week.
"I always say that rugby chose me because I used to play football, I used to play cricket, and I played rugby for ‘A’ teams, and I was quite good in all of them," Mahashe explained. "But then, obviously, I got to Grade 7, and the one that I could see that I excelled way more in and played for Border, was rugby."
Rugby, of course, is not Mahashe’s only passion, even though he will readily admit it is his foremost consideration. When not training, getting ready for matchdays or running out in the famous red and white hoops for the Joburgers, Mahashe enjoys familiar hobbies to unwind.
"I like to listen to Amapiano," he revealed. "But then mostly on my off time, I'll just sit on my couch and play PlayStation with my mates. I'm very good at EA Sports FC.
"I play a lot with Haashim (Pead), Rynhardt (Jonker), and Kelly (Mpeku). But the one player I really want to play with, that apparently is the best, is Ruan Venter. I can't wait until I play against him.
"I've recently been watching The Night Agent," Mahashe continued, "and I'm into action movies and thrillers.
"I love Burger King … They've got a nice one, Texas BBQ, you must try it one day," he recommends.
Beyond his downtime preferences, Mahashe's path to professional rugby was already taking shape well before he made Johannesburg his home.
Stacked loosies
During his final years in school, Mahashe was selected to represent the nation at SA Schools and Under-18s levels, but both opportunities were halted by the Covid pandemic. Luckily, according to Mahashe, professional outfits had already taken note of his talents.
Weighing up his options, Mahashe selected the Lions.
"The way I play and the game that we play at the Lions is very suited for loose-forwards that are like me. The style of play here is the best for my abilities."
Now entering his second season with the Lions, Mahashe finds himself surrounded by a stacked unit of excellent loose-forwards, led by club captain Francke Horn, in Johannesburg. This group also includes the likes of Jarod Cairns, Renzo du Plessis, Bathobele Hlekani, JC Pretorius, Sibabalo Qoma and the aforementioned Venter.
Springbok Sikhumbuzo Notshe, newly signed to the union from French Top 14 side Montauban, has also added his experience and talent to that pool of loosies. It makes for a competitive environment, but one where opportunities to learn and develop personally and professionally are ripe.
"Since he’s arrived, I've been spending a lot of time with him," Mahashe said, regarding the signing of Notshe.
"Just the way he sees the game, there's a lot to learn from him, and he's got — I call it timing. He knows when to go, he knows when to give the pass, he knows when to run a specific line.
"He's good at seeing pictures and knowing what to do in that certain picture. So yeah, there's a lot for me to learn from him."
With the URC starting this weekend, the Lions will enjoy two home games against Leinster and the Ospreys in the coming weeks, before away matches against the Bulls, La Rochelle in the Champions Cup, then Edinburgh and Glasgow.
Mahashe and Co recently wrapped up their pre-season schedule, and are now solely focused on making a winning start to the new campaign.
"We've worked hard for the past two months," Mahashe said.
"We just want to see what we've worked hard on translate onto the field. Going into the Leinster game, we have been focused on ourselves and proving to ourselves that we are as good as we think we know we are.
"I'd like to stay fit as the season goes on, first of all, and stay injury-free and just get better. There are parts of my game that I think I still can improve on."
For a Young Turk who has already tasted national representative honours, enjoyed a standout debut season, and put in a Player of the Match shift against the All Blacks, Mahashe remains remarkably grounded.
Armed with a sharp rugby brain, the guidance of seasoned veterans like Notshe, and a clear hunger for growth, the young flanker isn't just riding the wave of his early success — he's actively building the foundation for a long career in Springbok colours.
Mentors across South African rugby, including Bok head coach Rassie Erasmus, place immense value on mindset — and Mahashe has it in spades. Despite already assembling an enviable highlight reel, what remains most important to the young loose-forward are not individual accolades, but moments built on collective triumph.
"I think the highlight is winning the SA Shield," he insists. "Because since I've been at the Lions, I've always wanted to win a trophy. So, to win my first one was a very special moment."