A man from humble beginnings, Thembelani Bholi has carved out a career that has garnered immense respect in the South African rugby fraternity. Originally from East London, he represented the Border Country Districts team in two Craven Week campaigns, before heading for Port Elizabeth and joining the EP Kings. Bholi became one of the success stories of the EP Kings Academy, graduating from the U21 Currie Cup team and breaking through to the senior squad. Though the Kings struggled in their 2014 Currie Cup campaign, Thembelani thrived in the pace and physicality of senior professional rugby.

Renowned as a player willing to bust through a barn door for his team, Bholi’s bravery and work rate saw him established as a mainstay in the ever-improving Southern Kings Super Rugby squad of 2017, before making a move to join the Bulls. Although not initially part of their squad, Bholi’s handling and speed to the breakdown impressed (then) Director of Rugby John Mitchell, and he soon became one of the standout blindside flanks in Super Rugby. When the Southern Kings required experience, superb running lines & destructive ball carries, they aggressively recruited Bholi ahead of the 2019/20 Pro 14 season.