The Eastern Cape are the undisputed champions of Sevens women’s rugby at school level in South Africa.This after the province were crowned 2015 champions, for the second time in a row, in the ongoing SA Schools Sport Championships in the University of Pretoria’s High Performance Centre rugby fields in Hatfield.
Eastern Cape, represented by KwaNobuhle High School, thumped their Free State foes with an impressive 36-7 final score.
By so doing, the lasses in blue and white finished their campaign with a 100% winning rate having not lost a single match from round robin stage right until the finale.
They had not conceded a single point until yesterday when Free State managed just one goal and became the first side to score against the well-oiled machine that is KwaNobuhle.
Eaatern Cape coach Vuyani Mdluli expressed great satisfaction with his charges’ showing in this year’s tournament, saying the sky was the limit for the young ones.
“I am short of words to describe the happiness I feel for what my girls have achieved,” said Mdluli.
“We promised people of the Eastern Cape were not in this competition just to add numbers but for glory and we have delivered as per our promises.
“This is a great achievement that should not be taken lightly, winning a national competition of this magnitude twice in a row does not happen every day and we are honoured that we are among a few who have done it.”
According to Mdluli, when they go back home to Mthatha, the core of his players, will now graduate from the U16 ranks to the U18 so the school can start immediately to build for making it a treble next year.
Some, like star player Nqatyiswa Lufutha will be tried at senior level with hope that the country’s best senior women’s side – Border – will be watching.
Lufutha alone scored seven tries in the tournament which translates to 37 points. Players’ scorecard:
1. Yandisa Nobanda (7/10) – Her on point kicking was a marvel to watch, so were her hard tackles.
2. Aphelele Dotwana (8/10) – It is not everyday that you find a backline player with tremendous pace and acceleration who also happens to be a good jumper. Dotwana is exactly that type of player and was influential in her team’s positive results.
3. Lelethu Khonzani (9/10) – Her speed was her greatest strength as she consistently attacked the advantage line. Her exploits contributed in swinging results the Eastern Cape’s way
4. Sikelelwa Ntshongwana (7/10) – She earned her place in the team and worked hard with some great passing of the ball to ensure the team emerged victors.
5. Asiphe Khohliswa (9/10) – Although naturally a flyhalf, Khohliswa can play anywhere as she is gifted with multiple skills. She has brilliant movement, the speed, is good at creating space and superb when it comes to defending.
6. Nomasibulele Gqoli (8/10) – Her effective kicking played a big part in launching attacks for the Eastern Cape side.
7. Nqatyiswa Lufutha (9/10) – Simply the best. Lufutha dished out star performances from the start right until the end of the competition.
Sevens heaven for champs
Eastern Cape, represented by KwaNobuhle High School, thumped their Free State foes with an impressive 36-7 final score.
By so doing, the lasses in blue and white finished their campaign with a 100% winning rate having not lost a single match from round robin stage right until the finale.
They had not conceded a single point until yesterday when Free State managed just one goal and became the first side to score against the well-oiled machine that is KwaNobuhle.
Eaatern Cape coach Vuyani Mdluli expressed great satisfaction with his charges’ showing in this year’s tournament, saying the sky was the limit for the young ones.
“I am short of words to describe the happiness I feel for what my girls have achieved,” said Mdluli.
“We promised people of the Eastern Cape were not in this competition just to add numbers but for glory and we have delivered as per our promises.
“This is a great achievement that should not be taken lightly, winning a national competition of this magnitude twice in a row does not happen every day and we are honoured that we are among a few who have done it.”
According to Mdluli, when they go back home to Mthatha, the core of his players, will now graduate from the U16 ranks to the U18 so the school can start immediately to build for making it a treble next year.
Some, like star player Nqatyiswa Lufutha will be tried at senior level with hope that the country’s best senior women’s side – Border – will be watching.
Lufutha alone scored seven tries in the tournament which translates to 37 points. Players’ scorecard:
1. Yandisa Nobanda (7/10) – Her on point kicking was a marvel to watch, so were her hard tackles.
2. Aphelele Dotwana (8/10) – It is not everyday that you find a backline player with tremendous pace and acceleration who also happens to be a good jumper. Dotwana is exactly that type of player and was influential in her team’s positive results.
3. Lelethu Khonzani (9/10) – Her speed was her greatest strength as she consistently attacked the advantage line. Her exploits contributed in swinging results the Eastern Cape’s way
4. Sikelelwa Ntshongwana (7/10) – She earned her place in the team and worked hard with some great passing of the ball to ensure the team emerged victors.
5. Asiphe Khohliswa (9/10) – Although naturally a flyhalf, Khohliswa can play anywhere as she is gifted with multiple skills. She has brilliant movement, the speed, is good at creating space and superb when it comes to defending.
6. Nomasibulele Gqoli (8/10) – Her effective kicking played a big part in launching attacks for the Eastern Cape side.
7. Nqatyiswa Lufutha (9/10) – Simply the best. Lufutha dished out star performances from the start right until the end of the competition.
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