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Cape Town - The Springbok Women's Sevens will arrive in Tunisia tomorrow for the Rugby Africa Women's Sevens tournament with a good mix of experience and new talent, and will be spurred on knowing that they can overcome an important hurdle on their way back to the HSBC World Rugby Women's Sevens Series with a top two finish.
That is the view of Imbokodo* forward Zinhle Ndawonde, one of the more versatile players in the squad. She played for the team in the Rugby World Cup Sevens last year, and was a member of the Springbok Women's side that qualified for the Rugby World Cup tournament in New Zealand in 2021.
Ndawonde wants to contribute again to a qualifying effort for her country, as the two finalists at Mustapha Ben Jannet Stadium in Monastir will be entered into the World Series qualifying tournament next year.
“We have some very experienced players in the team, and I think that will count in our favour,” said Ndawonde.
“The likes of Zenay (Jordaan), Mathrin (Simmers) and Nadine (Ellis) are very experienced in sevens, while the likes of myself and Zintle (Mpupha) played fifteens together earlier, as well as Sizophila Solontsi.
“Also, Coach Paul (Delport) picked his squad with a particular result in mind and added some exciting new players to the team. There is a good combination in the squad, and we are in a good space mentally.”
Ndawonde said they know that the country is behind them and that is worth an extra player.
“The Springbok Women's Sevens team will go out and do their best, that I can promise,” she said.
“We are encouraged and boosted by the knowledge that our supporters, family, friends and South Africa are behind us. We are lifted by the fact that we have the support of all in the country.”
Two newcomers will travel abroad with the team for the first time. Liske Lategan and Meghan Philips both said representing South Africa will be a massive honour.
Lategan, who hails from Ben Viljoen High School in Groblersdal, was named in the squad to play in Dubai last year, but had to withdraw due to injury. This time around, the B.Ed student at the University of Pretoria, is raring to go.
“Massively exited,” said Lategan.
“I have not been to Tunisia and I understand from the senior players that it can become quite hot. I am very pleased to be fit and ready this time and I am looking forward to the tournament. We have a good squad I feel, with a number of very experienced players. The determination is there to do well.”
Philips, currently studying engineering at the University of Pretoria, said she hopes to contribute to the team with her speed. The former Helpmekaar College pupil was a star track athlete and received provincial colours in the sport.
“With my athletics background, it is fair to say that I hope to contribute with my speed amongst other things, so we will have to wait and see how that turns out for us,” she said.
“I am pretty excited to be honest. This is a massive honour playing for my country and I cannot wait. It will also be my first time for the team in an official tournament and it will be a first visit to Tunisia. We worked hard to be competitive at the tournament and we travel with great determination to do well.”
The Springbok Women’s Sevens squad:
1. Rights Mkhari
2. Catha Jacobs
3. Buhle Sonomzi
4. Zinhle Ndawonde
5. Sizophila Solontsi
6. Zintle Mpupha (captain)
7. Mathrin Simmers
8. Zenay Jordaan
9. Nadine Roos
10. Eloise Webb
11. Liske Lategan
12. Meghan Phillips
*Imbokodo has been adopted as the official nickname of the Springbok Women’s Sevens team. Imbokodo is taken from the Zulu phrase “Wathint’ abafazi wanthint’ imbokodo” which translates as “You strike a woman, you strike a rock”, and represents the resilience and courage shown by women in general, and the Springbok Women’s Sevens as they take on the world’s best teams.
- SA Rugby
