Rallying cry for Border in Sevens hunt

The war cry has been called: go conquer in the National Sevens Championships this coming weekend.

This is the expectation from the senior male and female Sevens rugby sides for Border Rugby Union, who are out to represent the province at the national competition in Mbombela.

But high expectations are on the female side, whose triumph will complete what will be the most successful year for women’s rugby in all levels by a single union.

This after Border senior 15s were crowned national champions 2016 for the fourth time in a row.

And Border women U15 and U18 are the reigning national champs in their own right, as are Penguins, who recently conquered in the national women’s club champs.

With the aforementioned heroics of the Border sides, the Sevens just cannot afford to be the ones to spoil the party of what will be a historic sporting year for Border Women.

And no one could emphasise this point better than Border Women’s Rugby coordinator Mandisa Williams, who said: “It is now all up to our Sevens to make sure that we make this our best year by finishing on a high with a clean sweep of everything that was on offer as far as female’s rugby is concerned in South Africa.

“Our aim is straightforward and that is continue setting the pace on women’s rugby in the country and, should our Sevens come back with glory, then we will have achieved that mission.”

Border Sevens have won this competition twice before, back to back in 2013 and 2014 but they were eliminated in the semis last year by none other than their fierce nemesis, Western Province.

But that elimination could be credited to the fact that they sent a weak and inexperienced team.

But this time around, with all 12 making up the Border Sevens squad being members of the all-powerful Border 15s, the majority of who also feature in the national Sevens side, success for Border is imminent.

Border Women Sevens squad for Mbombela national champs is:

Lusanda Dumke, Siviwe Basweni, Nwabisa Ngxatu, Xolelwa Ncanywa, Eloise Webb. Nosi Goda, Cindy Booi, Lutho Sajini, Zintle Mpupha, Siphokazi Soxunywa, Nomaphelo Mayongo and Zandiswa Xoza

The Border Men’s Sevens team will be expected to emulate the dominant women.

But fans cannot count on this for the men at Border in all levels have most of the time been the opposite of the heroic Border women.

Border Men Sevens squad for Mbombela national champs is: Ndzondelelo Ndamase, Monwabisi Makwasi, Somila Mantyoyi, Siyabulela Gabuza, Cameron Mentoor, Masixole Banda, Oliver Zono, Sonwabiso Mqalo, Siphosenkosi Nofemele, Buhle Magazi, Lethu Gcilitshana and Sethu Zono.