Border Women's star and new Springbok Women's Sevens captain Zintle Mpupha is extremely confident as her team gets set to test themselves against some of the best in Brisbane, Australia this weekend.
Mpupha, who took over the captaincy recently, described the mood in the squad as “superb” after a good field session as they prepare to play in the Super7s Brisbane tournament tomorrow and Sunday at the Sci-Fleet Stadium in Toowong.
“We had a long flight to get here, but after the session everyone was ready to go – we are ready for the tournament and can’t wait get on the field again,” said Mpupha.
The women’s team have some important tournaments on their calendar this year, including the HSBC World Rugby Women's Sevens Series qualifiers in Hong Kong in March, the Commonwealth Games in Australia in April, and the Rugby Sevens World Cup in the USA in July, so they realise how important the need for a good foundation will be.
The fact that Paul Delport took over as head coach from Renfred Dazel and Mpupha replaced Veroeshka Grain as captain will not be an issue, the University of Fort Hare graduate insisted.
“Nothing has changed, it’s still the same system,” said Mpupha.
“I think it’s good that Paul was appointed as he had worked with us before, so it is not like we adapting to a brand new coach. Otherwise the girls are doing so well with him and he’s also happy with the way we responded to new things that he has brought in.”
On her new role as leader, the flyhalf and playmaker was equally positive.
“It doesn’t change my approach to the tournament – I’m rather more excited and ready for the games to start and to see where we are as a team.
“We were mostly doing game-related stuff in training, now we can actually see it finally happening and being tested.”
Joining South Africa in pool play will be Papua New Guinea, Sweden and England, while other teams in action at the tournament include the USA, Poland, France, Wales, Fiji and Japan.
“We haven’t been focusing much on our opponents, but rather on ourselves. The teams in our pool are physical and have pace if you give them too much space. But this game changes every day so we are expecting anything,” said Mpupha.
“As players, we will not relax just because we have seen the squad for the Commonwealth Games – it will rather drive us to work even harder.” Other fellow Border players in the team with Mpupha include Unathi Mali and Eloise Webb who will be eager to impress as well.
The Springbok Women’s Sevens squad is: Unathi Mali, Megan Comley, Rights Mkhari, Christelene Steinhobel, Zinhle Ndawonde, Mathrin Simmers, Chane Stadler, Eloise Webb, Zintle Mpupha (capt), Veroeshka Grain, Nadine Roos, Zenay Jordaan.
Border star to lead the SA charge
Mpupha, who took over the captaincy recently, described the mood in the squad as “superb” after a good field session as they prepare to play in the Super7s Brisbane tournament tomorrow and Sunday at the Sci-Fleet Stadium in Toowong.
“We had a long flight to get here, but after the session everyone was ready to go – we are ready for the tournament and can’t wait get on the field again,” said Mpupha.
The women’s team have some important tournaments on their calendar this year, including the HSBC World Rugby Women's Sevens Series qualifiers in Hong Kong in March, the Commonwealth Games in Australia in April, and the Rugby Sevens World Cup in the USA in July, so they realise how important the need for a good foundation will be.
The fact that Paul Delport took over as head coach from Renfred Dazel and Mpupha replaced Veroeshka Grain as captain will not be an issue, the University of Fort Hare graduate insisted.
“Nothing has changed, it’s still the same system,” said Mpupha.
“I think it’s good that Paul was appointed as he had worked with us before, so it is not like we adapting to a brand new coach. Otherwise the girls are doing so well with him and he’s also happy with the way we responded to new things that he has brought in.”
On her new role as leader, the flyhalf and playmaker was equally positive.
“It doesn’t change my approach to the tournament – I’m rather more excited and ready for the games to start and to see where we are as a team.
“We were mostly doing game-related stuff in training, now we can actually see it finally happening and being tested.”
Joining South Africa in pool play will be Papua New Guinea, Sweden and England, while other teams in action at the tournament include the USA, Poland, France, Wales, Fiji and Japan.
“We haven’t been focusing much on our opponents, but rather on ourselves. The teams in our pool are physical and have pace if you give them too much space. But this game changes every day so we are expecting anything,” said Mpupha.
“As players, we will not relax just because we have seen the squad for the Commonwealth Games – it will rather drive us to work even harder.” Other fellow Border players in the team with Mpupha include Unathi Mali and Eloise Webb who will be eager to impress as well.
The Springbok Women’s Sevens squad is: Unathi Mali, Megan Comley, Rights Mkhari, Christelene Steinhobel, Zinhle Ndawonde, Mathrin Simmers, Chane Stadler, Eloise Webb, Zintle Mpupha (capt), Veroeshka Grain, Nadine Roos, Zenay Jordaan.
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