Stairs Mhlongo

Sthembiso Santo "Stairs" Mhlongo (born in Edendale, Pietermaritzburg, South Africa) is a South African rugby union player, currently playing with the . His regular position is lock.

Career

Youth and Varsity rugby

Mhlongo was part of the Academy, but failed to represent them at any level. Instead, he moved to Pretoria in 2011, where he was part of the side that participated in and reached the final of the 2011 Varsity Cup competition. His participation was limited however, making just three substitute appearances. He once again played for them in the 2012 Varsity Cup tournament, which saw win the title for the first time. Mhlongo also saw more game time in 2012, appearing in every single match from the second round onwards. He scored one try (in their final regular season match against the ) and also played the final twenty minutes of the final, where the Pretoria side triumphed 29–21 against a side that previously won the first three editions of the competition.

Border Bulldogs

In 2013, he moved to East London, joining the for the 2013 Currie Cup First Division competition. He got involved in first team action straight away, making his first class debut in the opening match of the season, a 12–36 home loss to the . He started in eight of the Bulldogs' matches during the competition, also scoring one try against the in his fourth match.

Mhlongo was one of several players released by the at the end of the 2013 as their financial troubles intensified and them eventually declared bankrupt.

Leopards

He moved to Potchefstroom for the 2014 Vodacom Cup campaign to join the . He started six of their seven matches during the competition, scoring tries in their matches against the and the .