Border star Mpupha set to lead Boks Down Under
Coach says Zintle has shown all her leadership qualities
BORDER women’s star Zintle Mpupha was named captain of the Springbok Women’s Sevens team by newly-appointed coach Paul Delport earlier this week ahead of the Super 7s tournament in Brisbane, Australia next weekend.
Former Blitzbok captain Delport, who took over from Renfred Dazel at the beginning of the year, called on Mpupha to lead his first squad for this invitational tournament, which also doubles up as a warm-up tournament for the Commonwealth Games in Australia’s Gold Coast in April.
Mpupha takes over the reins from Veroeshka Grain who remains in the mix.
“I like the calmness and leadership shown by Zintle – she is a very good communicator and will do well in her new role,” said Delport.
Mpupha, who also played cricket for South Africa at U19 level, is expected to give direction, not only as a captain, but also as playmaker and flyhalf.
The Alice-born player made her debut for the side in the 2012-13 season at the Amsterdam Sevens, but decided to complete her degree in Human Movement Sciences from the University of Fort Hare first before rejoining the national squad fulltime.
“It is a huge honour to play for this team and to be named captain is even more special,” said Mpupha.
“We have massive challenges facing us this year.
“We need to try to qualify for the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series, and will play in the Commonwealth Games and Rugby World Cup Sevens tournaments, so every opportunity to prepare for those must be grabbed with both hands.
“This tournament in Brisbane is such an opportunity.”
Three changes were made to the squad that last played in December at the HSBC World Rugby Women’s Sevens Series event in Dubai.
Stalwart Marithy Pienaar injured a hamstring in training this week and has been ruled out of the trip, while Phumeza Gadu and Jacqueline Kriel are not involved with the squad anymore.
They are replaced by Rights Mkhari, former Border flyhalf Zenay Jordaan and Zinthle Ndawonde for the tournament on February 3-4 at the Sci-Fleet Stadium in Toowing.
Also in the side are Mphupa’s fellow Border teammates Unathi Mali and Eloise Webb who thrived under her captaincy when Border dominated the Interprovincial tournament over the past few years.
Australia, France, France Development, Poland, Sweden, USA, Spain, England, Japan, Fiji and Wales are the other teams at the Brisbane tournament.
“This is a very important tournament for us and I am pleased with the preparation and the final squad,” said Delport.
“All the players in our squad have played at this level before and are well aware of the demands and standards we will encounter in Australia.”
The squad departs from Cape Town tomorrow.
The Springbok Women’s Sevens squad: Unathi Mali, Megan Comley, Rights Mkhari, Christelene Steinhobel, Zinhle Ndawonde, Mathrin Simmers, Chane Stadler, Eloise Webb, Zintle Mpupha (capt), Veroeshka Grain, Nadine Roos, Zenay Jordaan.