Bandise Maku


Bandise Grey Maku is a former South African rugby union player, whose usual position was hooker. He played first class rugby between 2006 and 2016 and also played in a single test match for in 2010, as well as in three tour matches in 2009 and 2010. He played Super Rugby for the from 2008 to 2010 and from 2014 to 2016, for the in 2011 and for the in 2013. He played domestic Currie Cup rugby for the from 2006 to 2010 and from 2013 to 2016 and for the in 2011 and 2012.

Career

Youth

He represented his local team at the 2004 Craven Week before moving to the, for whom he played rugby at youth level.

Bulls

He was first named in a squad during the 2006 Vodacom Cup. He made his Currie Cup debut the following season, coming on as a 72nd-minute substitute against. A year later, he was also included in squad for the 2008 Super 14 season, making his debut in Rotorua against the.

Lions

He joined the for the 2011 Super Rugby season, where he started in 14 games. He also played Currie Cup rugby for the, where he was also a member of the starting line-up which defeated the 42–16 to win the 2011 Currie Cup Premier Division. He was injured for the entire 2012 Super Rugby season, but did play some Currie Cup rugby at the end of the season.

Kings

He then joined the for the 2013 Super Rugby season.

Return to Bulls

After the 2013 Super Rugby season, he rejoined former team the, signing a contract at the team until October 2016.

South Africa national team

His first tour of duty for his country was with the Springboks to France, Italy, Ireland & England in late 2009, where he played in tour matches against the Leicester Tigers and Saracens. He earned his first test cap for his country playing against Italy during an incoming tour in 2010. In 2010, Maku was again called up for duty with the Springboks in a November tour of Ireland, Wales, Scotland and England. His call came two matches into the tour on 18 November 2010, after a controversial incident in which two other Springbok players tested positive for a banned substance.

Honours