Martin Sithole
{{short description|South African rugby union player}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=April 2022}}
{{Infobox rugby biography
| name = Martin Sithole
| image =
| fullname = Simphiwe Martin Sithole
| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1984|02|03|df=y}}
| birth_place = Pietermaritzburg, South Africa
| height = {{height|m=1.81}}
| weight = {{convert|95|kg|stlb lb|0|abbr=on}}
| nickname =
| occupation =
| school = Kusasalethu SS
| university = Vuselela College
| relatives =
| position = Flanker
| currentclub = {{Rut|Falcons}}
| youthyears1 = 1997–1903
| youthclubs1 = {{Rut|Pumas}}
| youthyears2 = 2004–2005
| youthclubs2 = {{Rut|Leopards}}
| years1 = 2008–2011
| clubs1 = {{Rut|Pumas}}
| apps1 = 37
| points1 = 30
| years2 = 2011–2016
| clubs2 = {{Rut|Griffons}}
| apps2 = 89
| points2 = 160
| years3 = 2017–present
| clubs3 = {{Rut|Falcons}}
| apps3 = 32
| points3 = 60
| repyears1 = 2002
| repteam1 = S.A. Schools
| repcaps1 =
| reppoints1 =
| repyears2 = 2005
| repteam2 = South Africa Under-21
| repcaps2 = 1
| reppoints2 = 0
| repyears3 = 2012
| repteam3 = South African Barbarians (North)
| repcaps3 = 1
| reppoints3 = 0
| clubupdate = 25 August 2019
| repupdate = 18 June 2013
}}
Simphiwe Martin Sithole (born 3 February 1984 in Pietermaritzburg) is a South African rugby union player for the {{Rut|Falcons}} in the Currie Cup and the Rugby Challenge.{{SA Rugby Player Profile | id=24419 | name=Martin Sithole | date=29 May 2016}} His regular position is flanker.
Career
=Youth=
He represented the {{Rut|Pumas}} at the 1997 Under-13 Craven Week tournament, at Under-17 level in 2002 and at the Under-18 Craven Week in 2001 and 2002. He played in the youth Currie Cup tournaments at Under-19 level in 2002 and Under-20 level in 2003.
In 2004, he joined the {{Rut|Leopards}}, whom he represented in various youth competitions, as well as being included in the 2005 Vodacom Cup squad, without making an appearance.
=Pumas=
In wasn't until 2008 following a return to the {{Rut|Pumas}} that he made his first class provincial debut. He was included in their squad for the 2008 Vodacom Cup competition and came on as a substitute against the {{Rut|Natal Wildebeest}}.{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=15182 | homeid=6606 | awayid=6597 | leagueid=618 | hometeam=Wildebeest | homescore=10 | awayscore=30 | awayteam=Pumas | matchdate=23 February 2008 | date=27 July 2016}}
He quickly became a regular in the first team, making 37 appearances in both the Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup competitions between 2008 and 2011.
=Griffons=
By 2011, he was largely limited to substitute appearances at the {{Rut|Pumas}} and moved to Welkom to join the {{Rut|Griffons}} during the 2011 Currie Cup First Division season.
He was a key member of their 2014 Currie Cup First Division-winning side. He played off the bench in the final and helped the Griffons win the match 23–21{{SA Rugby Match Centre | id=133384 | homeid=23034 | awayid=23054 | leagueid=2154 | hometeam=Down Touch Griffons | homescore=23 | awayscore=21 | awayteam=Valke | matchdate=17 October 2014 | date=27 July 2016}} to win their first trophy for six years.{{cite web | url=http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/CurrieCup/Griffons-win-First-Division-title-20141017 | title=Currie Cup Griffons win First Division title | publisher=Sport24 | date=17 October 2014 | access-date=21 October 2014}}
=Representative rugby=
In 2002, he played for a South African Schools side against France and Wales. Three years later, he represented the South African Under-21s at the 2005 Under 21 Rugby World Championship, playing in one game.
He was also selected for the South African Barbarians (North) team against {{nrut|England}} that toured South Africa as part of the 2012 mid-year rugby test series.{{cite web | url=http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SA-Barbarians-teams-named-20120528 | title=SA Barbarians teams named | work=Sport24 | date=28 May 2012 | access-date=28 May 2013}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Sithole, Martin}}
Category:Griffons (rugby union) players
Category:Pumas (Currie Cup) players
Category:Rugby union players from Pietermaritzburg