Ebune ‘Mango’ Ngundue: Versatile prop powering Griquas’ front row
Ebune “Mango” Ngundue brings strength, versatility, and work ethic to the Suzuki Griquas, anchoring both tighthead and loosehead positions. The 23-year-old prop is poised to make a lasting impact following the 2025 Currie Cup success.
Image: Griquas
IN RUGBY, a dominant front row can define a team’s identity. And for the Suzuki Griquas, Ebune Moango Ngundue has arrived in Kimberley ready to provide exactly that.
Known as “Mango” or “Baby Rhino,” the 23-year-old prop combines raw power with versatility, ambition, and a work ethic that has quickly earned the respect of coaches and teammates alike.
Born on 5 May 2002 in Meyerton, Gauteng’s Vaal Triangle, Ngundue showed early promise as a physical and instinctive player. His formative years built the foundation for a front-rower capable of playing both tighthead and loosehead, a rare flexibility that adds depth to any professional pack.
Before joining the Griquas, he impressed with the Griffons, demonstrating determination, discipline, and the eagerness to learn, qualities that would become hallmarks of his game.
Ngundue’s arrival in Kimberley ahead of the 2025 season coincided with the Griquas’ historic Currie Cup triumph, offering him an opportunity to contribute to a team already brimming with momentum.
Though still early in his professional career, he has shown the qualities coaches value most: raw physicality, scrummaging versatility, and a willingness to grind through the unseen work that often decides matches.
His “Baby Rhino” nickname speaks to both his strength and his relentless approach around the field.
What Ngundue brings to the Griquas is simple but vital: stability in the scrum, a hard edge in collisions, and the kind of work rate that sets the tone for 80 minutes. Coaches note his high ceiling and his coachability, suggesting that with time, he could become a long-term cornerstone for the team.
Off the field, he is known for humility and respect, traits that align perfectly with the culture. Kimberley has cultivated a culture built on effort, accountability, and brotherhood.
For fans, Ngundue may be one of the quieter new additions, but front-row contributions are rarely loud, they are measured in scrums held, tackles made, and momentum shifted. With his combination of power, versatility, and mindset, he is the kind of player capable of changing games in critical moments.
The 2025 season is just the beginning for Ebune “Mango” Ngundue. As the Griquas continue to build on their historic success, this young prop is charging into a future full of potential, ready to make his mark on Kimberley rugby and beyond.