Border fringe players have chance to shine

A BORDER Women’s Invitational XV will do battle against an Eastern Province Invitational side in the curtain-raiser to the Springbok women’s rugby clash against Uganda at Buffalo City Stadium today at 1pm.

Border Invitational coach Thulani Matyila feels the game presents a massive opportunity for youngsters and fringe players to put their hands up.

“Many of the players who will be playing tomorrow come from either the U16 and U18 teams or the reserves, and it is a chance for them to show everyone they can play for the first team,” said Matyila.

He also encouraged the public to come out and see the homegrown talent evident in the Border and the Springbok teams.

“It is a chance for the public to see that these women can really play and that women’s rugby is of a high standard in the Border region,” he said.

The majority of Border’s starters, including rising star Lusanda Dumke who recently represented both the South African U18 7’s and U20 15’s sides, will be rested for today’s match ahead of the inter-provincial semi-final be played next weekend.

The Eastern Cape has long been seen as the birthplace of women’s rugby in South Africa and Matyila agrees fully with this assertion.

He says raw talent in schools gives him hope for the future.

The current Springbok squad is dominated by Border players, highlighting the fact that the area is rich in talent.

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