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The Bafana Bafana playmaker had been held back by a knee injury this year, but returned to action during the Soweto derby against Orlando Pirates in mid-March.
"Shabba", as he is affectionately known, was unable to help his side avoid defeat to the Buccaneers, but he has put in some sterling performances since, helping the side to within five points of Premiership leaders Mamelodi Sundowns. The Glamour Boys are also through to the Nedbank Cup quarter-finals.
The centre-mid also recently signed a three-year contract extension at Naturena, and says his success in South Africa's top flight is purely down to hard work on the training pitch.
"I was eager to play after all the 'contract talk' had come to an end but I got injured at training," he told the club's official website.
"It all boils down to hard work so I always push myself harder in training. I also spend time on the gym working on my conditioning and it is starting to pay out.
"It is important that as senior players and everyone we lead from the front and play for the badge. There is still lot of football to be played this season."
Looking back at the last-16 victory over Leopards, in which Tshabalala picked up the Man of the Match award, the player was quick to praise the team as a whole, but also warns his team-mates they will need to reshape their focus as they prepare to take on Lidoda Duvha in the PSL on Tuesday
He said: "It was a good performance from everyone in the team. We need to quickly forget about this victory as we have Black Leopards again on Tuesday."
