Latsha reigning in Spain
SA player changing the face of women s rugby ’
Springbok women s rugby ’ player Babalwa Latsha has set the bar sky-high and, in the process, broken records and barriers when she became the first SA female rugby player to be signed by an overseas team, thus making her the first pro.
A new era for women s
’ rugby is on the horizon and it should be the perfect platform and launching pad for aspiring players who want to hit the big time in their rugby careers.
The 26-year-old from Khayelitsha secured a professional contract earlier this year to play for Spanish women s rugby team SD Eibar Femenino. This also makes her the first African women in the sport to go pro.
The former Western Province player was scouted by a Spanish agency while she was on duty for the Springbok Women s team during a match ’ against Spain in September 2019.
It is a great achievement for the law student, who is enrolled at the University of Western Cape, to be able to showcase her talents in Europe.
Speaking to EWN Sport, Latsha said: I d like to have a “’ strong, positive influence on our own South African rugby, to be a positive catalyst of changes within our systems.
I m looking forward to “’ bringing the knowledge that I will acquire here home and hopefully grow our rugby, but to also have some personal achievement by putting in some great performances for my club.”
She continued: I want to be “a great example and represent my country well so that more overseas clubs can pay attention to South African rugby because there s plenty of talent and ’ potential, and those just need to be seen. If I put up great performances, it will attract more attention from professional clubs to South Africa.”
Latsha, who did not know she would become a rugby player as she was more involved in athletics and soccer and had a love for shot-put and javelin throwing, came across rugby in Khayelitsha for the first time. But it was only at university that she really became interested in the sport and started playing it. The SA Women s team has ’ been playing since 2004 and has already participated in three World Cups. And Latsha should be the first name selected for the team to participate at the 2021 World Cup in New Zealand.
The global showpiece will take place between September 18 and October 16, 2021.
Latsha has been the Springbok women s captain in ’ the absence of Nolusindiso Booi, who was out injured.
Latsha has been massively impressive in Spain and had her contract renewed. She scored a mammoth 13 tries in seven games.
Success is a feeling, a feeling of accomplishment. Latsha has taken the front seat in opening avenues for SA talent globally.
She has enhanced the reputation of SA women s rugby ’ and provided a gateway for every girl, every woman, to achieve anything they set their minds to.