Born in Hluhluwe in northern KwaZulu-Natal, Phepsi Buthelezi's rugby journey ran through Durban High School and the Sharks junior system, which he joined in 2014. He represented SA Schools in 2017 and the Junior Springboks at the 2018 World Rugby U20 Championship.
Buthelezi made his senior Sharks debut in February 2019, coming off the bench in a Super Rugby victory over the Sunwolves in Singapore. He was named Sharks captain for the 2021 Currie Cup Premier Division and has since become a mainstay across the URC, Currie Cup and EPCR competitions, bringing up his 100th Sharks appearance in international competitions during the 2025/26 URC.
His perseverance was rewarded with a Springbok debut against Portugal in July 2024, marked with a try, after representing South Africa 'A' in 2022. In December 2025 he signed an extension through 2029, anchoring the Sharks' back row for years to come.
