Phiwayinkosi "Rambo" Kubheka captained the Maritzburg College First XV before entering the national pathway, touring France and Ireland with the SA Rugby U19 Academy squad in November 2025. His scrummaging power saw him fast-tracked into the Junior Springboks, earning a first U20 Championship appearance in 2025.
In 2026 he became a mainstay of the Junior Bok front row, starting all three U20 Rugby Championship matches in the title-winning campaign and playing five matches - captaining the side against Uruguay - as South Africa won the World Rugby U20 Championship, beating France in the final. Days later he was back in Sharks colours, coming off the bench and crashing over for a try against the Stormers XXIII in the Currie Cup.
A two-time U20 world champion at just 20, Kubheka is now soaking up mentorship from Sharks consultant Ma'a Nonu as he targets a regular senior berth.