Border’s stars for Euro tour
National side for trip to Europe will benefit from players with experience
There is a strong Border women’s rugby flavour in the Springbok women’s team that is set to get their three-week European Tour under way against the UK Armed Forces in London on Friday.
Border star Zintle Mpupha, who is the Springbok women’s Sevens team captain, will be covice-captain of the 15s team along with Western Province’s Babalwa Latsha, while former Border women’s captain and current Western Province captain Nolusindiso Booi will lead the side.
Six other Border women’s players made the 28-women touring squad, namely forwards Yonela Ngxingolo (prop) and Lusanda Dumke (flank) and backline players Fundiswa Plaatjie (scrumhalf), Aphiwe Ngwevu (centre), Nosiphiwo Goda (wing) and Snenhlanhla Shozi (fullback).
The other matches on the tour will be against Wales at Cardiff Arms Park on Saturday November 10, Spain in Villaopportunity joyosa on Saturday November 17, and Italy in Prato on Sunday November 25.
Several players in coach Stanley Raubenheimer’s squad boast international experience, with Booi, Tayla Kinsey, Plaatjie and Thantaswa Macingwana having played in the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup, while six players have represented the Springbok Women’s Sevens, in Kirsten Conrad, Goda, Latsha, Mpupha, Zinhle Ndawonde and Shozi.
“I am pleased with the quality of the team,” said Raubenheimer.
“There is a good mix of youth and experience, which is perfect as we start building towards something bigger and better for women’s rugby in South Africa.
“Several players have come through the U18 to U20 structures and they now have the to show what they can do on international level, which is encouraging.”
Raubenheimer emphasised the importance of having an experienced captain after entrusting Booi with that responsibility.
“It is always important to have experience in the group, especially if one considers that we last played an official Test match four years ago,” said Raubenheimer.
“Cindy was part of the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup squad, along with players like Fundiswa, Tayla and Thantaswa, and their experience is going to be vital in guiding the young players on tour.”
Raubenheimer said the tour will serve as a good marker to measure where the team is.
“I am not really sure what to expect over there because we have been out of the international arena for a while now, and this is my first time at the helm with the Springbok Women’s team,” he said.
“But what I am certain about it is that it will be a tough tour as Wales, Italy and Spain played in the 2017 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
“So this tour will serve as a fantastic platform to measure where we are in terms of the current international standards.”
The team departed for London on Tuesday morning.
There is a good mix of youth and experience, which is perfect as we start building Stanley Raubenheimer