Border Rugby Union head of Women’s Rugby Mandisa Williams has lauded the Penguins Ladies club for their recent triumph in the Super 12 Cup competition in the ladies section.
Penguins saved the day for Border clubs after club sides in the men’s section failed to reach the final that became an all EP Rugby affair.
The East London club, the oldest rugby side for women in the Border region, are on roll having also emerged victors in the national club championships last year.
Williams described the latest success as one that bodes well for women’s rugby at Border and a good start that she hoped would rub off on the provincial team to continue with their dominance when the national league starts in July.
Penguins did not just win the Super 12 but defeated Kwaru – a side that had won the competition three times.
Williams said: “This is the strongest message that as Border we are still on top of our game as far as women’s rugby is concerned.
“It is a victory worth celebrating but also a motivation that we must intensify our work on grassroots rugby so that we can see most of our club sides dominating when pitted against the best from other unions.
“This is also evidence that a blend of experienced players with a mix of juniors works well and brings about momentum and a certain degree of sustainability in what we are trying to build.”
Penguins were bolstered by about eight provincial team players who are used to the culture of winning, she said.
Among other prominent stars in the Penguins side are provincial team heavyweights such as Eloize Webb, Zintle Mpupha, Nwabisa Ngxathu and Aviwe Kaduka.
Sheer commitment and the close ties the club has to the provincial team had also played a role.
The local league starts next month and Penguins are expected to continue where they left off in the Super 12.
But they will not have it easy locally with the likes of Winter Rose expected to give them stiff competition.
Mandisa salutes Penguins for Super 12 win
Penguins saved the day for Border clubs after club sides in the men’s section failed to reach the final that became an all EP Rugby affair.
The East London club, the oldest rugby side for women in the Border region, are on roll having also emerged victors in the national club championships last year.
Williams described the latest success as one that bodes well for women’s rugby at Border and a good start that she hoped would rub off on the provincial team to continue with their dominance when the national league starts in July.
Penguins did not just win the Super 12 but defeated Kwaru – a side that had won the competition three times.
Williams said: “This is the strongest message that as Border we are still on top of our game as far as women’s rugby is concerned.
“It is a victory worth celebrating but also a motivation that we must intensify our work on grassroots rugby so that we can see most of our club sides dominating when pitted against the best from other unions.
“This is also evidence that a blend of experienced players with a mix of juniors works well and brings about momentum and a certain degree of sustainability in what we are trying to build.”
Penguins were bolstered by about eight provincial team players who are used to the culture of winning, she said.
Among other prominent stars in the Penguins side are provincial team heavyweights such as Eloize Webb, Zintle Mpupha, Nwabisa Ngxathu and Aviwe Kaduka.
Sheer commitment and the close ties the club has to the provincial team had also played a role.
The local league starts next month and Penguins are expected to continue where they left off in the Super 12.
But they will not have it easy locally with the likes of Winter Rose expected to give them stiff competition.
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