Hounds Extend Justice Nkombua

CHICAGO, I.L.- The Hounds signed flanker Justice Nkombua to a contract extension ahead of the 2024 Major League Rugby season, the club announced today.

Nkombua joined the Hounds midway through the 2023 MLR season. He appeared in six games for the Hounds during the 2023 campaign and started one of those contests. He finished the year with 165 minutes on the field. The flanker carried the ball ten times for 50 meters (5 meters-per-carry). Defensively, Nkombua completed 16 of his 18 tackle attempts. Two of those 16 tackles were deemed as dominant tackles.

Nkombua began playing rugby at CBC Boksburg high school before going on to represent Valke from the Under-16 through Under-18 levels. He earned a contract with the Limpopo Blue Bulls after school due to strong performances at Grant Khomo and the Academy Week competition.

Nkombua then represented the University of Pretoria within their Young Gun competition before earning a spot on their first-team in both the Varsity Cup and Carlton Cup. In 2022, he helped lead them to a 2022 Varsity Cup championship, the premier collegiate competition in South Africa.

The flanker was born in Chicago and qualifies for US eligibility. Most recently, Nkombua suited up for the USA Hawks, a development program for young American prospects that have an opportunity to play for the senior men’s team.

Roster to Date:

To date, the Chicago Hounds have signed the following players for the 2024 Major League Rugby season:

• Nick McCarthy, scrumhalf
• Ben Landry, lock/flanker
• Dave Kearney, wing
• Bryce Campbell, center*
• Zurabi Zhvania, prop
• Billy Meakes, center*
• Julian Dominguez, wing*
• George Merrick, lock
• Tinashe Muchena, back row*
• Adriaan Carelse, fullback
• Mika Felix, prop*
• Jason Higgins, scrumhalf (via trade with San Diego)
• Justice Nkombua, flanker

Star denotes re-signed player.