Border duo could shake up Dubai Sevens
THE Springbok Women’s Sevens will be hoping to improve the rugby mood in South Africa as they are out to conquer at the Dubai leg of the World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series starting tomorrow.
This as the mood is at its lowest point following the Springboks who have returned from a winless tour in Europe.
And the SA women Sevens side will be counting on two influential women – Eloise Webb and Zintle Mpupha, who happen to be Border players – to get them to the promised land. Webb will be making her debut for the side while Mpupha returns after three years for her second World Series tournament after making her debut in the 2012-13 Amsterdam Sevens.
Former SA Women Sevens player Mandisa Williams, now retired, has thrown her weight behind the duo, saying she had no doubt they were going to star for the national side, just like they did for Border Women this season.
“Twizza (Webb’s nickname) is capable of doing anything she is tasked to do and for that reason I can confidently say she will be among the stars in the series,” said Williams.
Williams added that the duo’s selection for the side just a week after they joined the selection camp was an indication of their quality. As for Mpupha, “Mara”, as Williams is affectionately known, believes it was long overdue. “Zintle is the most dominant women’s rugby player and the hottest flyhalf we have in South Africa right now,” said Williams.
Mpupha was Border Women’s best player in 2016 on the national stage, contributing the most points both in the Sevens and the 15s game.
For her heroics she was named Border Sevens Player of the Year accolade last week.
The SA squad: Phumeza Gadu, Veroeshka Grain (capt), Zenay Jordaan, Jacqueline Kriel, Nomsa Mokwai, Lamla Momoti, Mpupha, Marithy Pienaar, Nadine Roos, Mathrin Simmers, Christelene Steinhobel and Webb. —