Born in Nelspuit and attending the White River Primary School in Mpumalanga, Mabuza was chosen to play for the Pumas at the Under-13 Craven Week tournament in 2007.
[5] Mabuza then made the move across the Jukskei River to join Johannesburg-based side the Golden Lions for the 2013 season.
[6] In 2014, Mabuza was included in the South Africa Under-20 squad for the 2014 IRB Junior World Championship to be held in New Zealand.
The Leopards led 16–3 shortly before the hour mark when Mabuza scored two tries in a four-minute spell to bring the Golden Lions back into the game and eventually helped them narrowly win the match 18–16.
[8] A further three starts and two substitute appearances followed as the Golden Lions made it all the way to the final before losing to Griquas, another match that Mabuza featured in.