Border lead way into SA squad

In total, 11 Border women were called up to the testing and conditioning camp for the national senior side due to take place in Port Elizabeth next week.

Border Women’s Rugby coordinator Mandisa Williams was thrilled that eight of the 11 are debutants, saying this was an indication that the East London-based provincial union was punching above its weight given the limited resources at their disposal.

The Border women’s debutants for the national senior team camp are Nolubabalo Bomela, Lusanda Dumke, Thulisile Capa, Zintle Mpupha, Aviwe Kaduka, Eloise Webb, Xolelwa Ncanywa and Maryke Kirchoff while Asithandile Ntoyanto, Thantaswa Macingwane and Nomaphelo Mayongo make a return.

Mpupha and Dumke come from the national U20 ranks.

Only Western Province, also with 11 callups, matches Border with numbers in the national team camp.

Williams said: “It is exciting that Border continues to lead the way in the development of women’s rugby in the republic.

“The eight first-timers is proof that something positive is being done at Border women’s structures and we are really delighted by the callups.

“In the past half a decade or so we have continued to feed the national camp with about eight to 13 all the time and the fact that those numbers are not dropping is good for what we are trying to achieve but we must improve.”

According to Williams, the national camp debutants were all deserving as they had all been members of Border’s success as three times back-to-back national champions.

Here is why the 11 made the cut:

Ntoyanto – aggressive, mobile and an always-willing-to-learn prop who works very hard.

Bomela – digs deep for results and a disciplined, explosive runner, great ball carrier with arguably most line-breaks in the interprovincial league competition.

Capa – a hard tackler of note with good skills level and light on her feet. Did not play for the provincial side yet was outstanding in national club champs.

Macingwane – from being the IRB U20 player of the tournament to be the force to be reckoned with in senior rugby, Macingwane is a devastating tackler, great carrier and fetcher.

Dumke – undisputably the best female loose-forward in SA, she has pace, skill, tackling and a try-scoring machine mostly unstoppable by any opponent.

Mayongo – does her business quietly on the field. If you are looking for a female Bob Skinstad in SA, look no further than this player.

Mpupha – think Dan Carter, Patrick Lambie combined and you have Zintle as probably the most accurate flyhalf in SA women’s rugby. She will punish and terrorise your opposition.

Kirchoff – a complete centre who fits perfectly into modern rugby.

Ncanywa – natural finisher with blistering pace when she is on the field.

Kaduka – utility back with a big heart. Wing, centre, flyhalf and fullback, either way you are covered in many positions.

Webb – “Twizza”, as she is affectionally known, is the Israel Dagg of SA rugby, solid at the back with a great eye for open gaps. Webb is also a prolific netball player.