A Griquas Currie Cup winner has joined the Dragons ahead of the Welsh club’s Vodacom URC clash against Connacht at Rodney Parade.
Cebo Dlamini, who captained Griquas to their first domestic title in 55 years in September, joins the Men of Gwent with immediate effect, adding much-needed depth and power to their tighthead prop stocks.
The Eshowe-born 24-year-old, nicknamed ‘Big D’, is no stranger to the URC and will be ready to hit the ground running for his new club. Dlamini, in fact, featured against the Dragons in the URC while on loan at the Sharks, and more recently turned out against Toulouse in the Investec Champions Cup.
Dragons coach Filo Tiatia has been quick to praise the impact made by the 118kg scrummager since arriving in Newport.
“Cebo has linked up with us, has quickly nailed his roles and has been awesome,” Tiatia said. “He’s a strong scrummager and a good learner who picks things up quickly.
“He’s a good man and character. I’ve been impressed with the questions he asks and his deep understanding for learning. We’re down a few players in that position, so we’re grateful that he has accepted the opportunity to come and help. He’s a good addition.”
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Dlamini attended several schools in KwaZulu-Natal before his talent came into sharper focus at Maritzburg College, where he made the 1st XV in Grade 11 and earned a place in the Sharks Academy.
“I’d say my passion for rugby started in Grade 3,” Dlamini said. “Our principal used to call me ‘Beast’ because I would just run and tackle.”
A closer look at our new signing, South African tight head Cebo Dlamini
Croeso mawr Cebo
#WeAreGwentRugby pic.twitter.com/gpkv5P6S0X
— Dragons RFC
(@dragonsrfc) December 17, 2025
His journey was not without setbacks, including a serious injury and academic disappointment after matric, before a Varsity Cup opportunity at Tuks reignited his career.
Those experiences have shaped a leader. Earlier this year, Dlamini captained Griquas to their historic Currie Cup title, with the side stunning defending champions the Lions 27-25 at Ellis Park with a penalty after the hooter.
The Dragons currently sit 15th on the 16-team URC log.
Photo: Christiaan Kotze/Gallo Images
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