Border Rugby women’s Sevens team have an opportunity to ensure this region’s absolute dominance of women’s rugby in SA when they compete in the national Sevens tournament in Saldanha Bay from today.
Their 15s side have recently won the national league for the second year in a row. Bringing back home the trophy in the Sevens tournament would add the cherry on top of what was a great year for women’s rugby at Border, a far cry from Border men’s dismal showing in their own league.
Speaking to the Dispatch yesterday, Border Rugby Union coordinator of females rugby Mandisa Williams said the girls were going for the kill. “We have had a brilliant year and set the bar very high, therefore we have no choice but to go for a kill and bring the trophy back home.”
Last year Border Sevens were beaten in the final of the same tournament by their provincial rivals, EP Kings but Williams has vowed history will not reapeat itself. “This I expect to be a cruise for us, EP beat us because we had many key players injured and there was no good enough replacements yet we went all the way to the final. This time we have all our A players ready to rock the boat.”
This was echoed by Border captain Nwabisa Ngxatu, who praised the local team for its unity. According to Ngxatu, the team was unfit last year owing to the 15s league that had ended early but this time their fitness levels were still on point.
“We are better than ever, yes we lost in the finl last year but there were factors that contributed to that such as missing main players and fitness levels that were not up to standard,” she said.
“Ours is dominance that can be attributed to self-belief of every individual in the team and the spirit of togetherness and sacrifices we have made for this team. We are like a family and in this together, that is our strength right there.”
Border have been grouped against rather weak opponents – Griquas, Falcons and KwaZulu-Natal – and may have an easy ride to the quarters and semis where they are likely to face Blue Bulls, Western Province and EP Kings.
Border to take their A-game to Sevens
Their 15s side have recently won the national league for the second year in a row. Bringing back home the trophy in the Sevens tournament would add the cherry on top of what was a great year for women’s rugby at Border, a far cry from Border men’s dismal showing in their own league.
Speaking to the Dispatch yesterday, Border Rugby Union coordinator of females rugby Mandisa Williams said the girls were going for the kill. “We have had a brilliant year and set the bar very high, therefore we have no choice but to go for a kill and bring the trophy back home.”
Last year Border Sevens were beaten in the final of the same tournament by their provincial rivals, EP Kings but Williams has vowed history will not reapeat itself. “This I expect to be a cruise for us, EP beat us because we had many key players injured and there was no good enough replacements yet we went all the way to the final. This time we have all our A players ready to rock the boat.”
This was echoed by Border captain Nwabisa Ngxatu, who praised the local team for its unity. According to Ngxatu, the team was unfit last year owing to the 15s league that had ended early but this time their fitness levels were still on point.
“We are better than ever, yes we lost in the finl last year but there were factors that contributed to that such as missing main players and fitness levels that were not up to standard,” she said.
“Ours is dominance that can be attributed to self-belief of every individual in the team and the spirit of togetherness and sacrifices we have made for this team. We are like a family and in this together, that is our strength right there.”
Border have been grouped against rather weak opponents – Griquas, Falcons and KwaZulu-Natal – and may have an easy ride to the quarters and semis where they are likely to face Blue Bulls, Western Province and EP Kings.
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