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SA Women’s Rugby team.
Babalwa Latsha hopes South Africa’s historic qualification for the Women’s Rugby World Cup knockout phases acts as a ‘watershed moment’ for the game back home.
The prop started victories over Brazil and Italy, which booked the Springboks Women a place in the last eight with a match to spare.
The 29-24 win over the Azzurre was secured in dramatic fashion by Sinazo Mcatshulwa’s late score and ensured the pressure is off going into Sunday’s clash with Pool D favourites France.
“It feels like a watershed moment,” said the former Harlequins front-rower.
“We’ve been building up to it for the past three, four years, many sacrifices have been made and many tears have been cried for South African women’s rugby.
“It’s almost a moment that is like a lighthouse, where it illuminates a light so bright that it shines across the whole horizon. It’s a brand-new path that has been created.
“New records have been set by the competition and by us. New pathways have been established, and also a validation of dreams for many of us in our group, for some even a revival of dreams that had perhaps been lying dormant.
“Hopefully, it is a revival of dreams for others back home as well, and what a way to conclude Women’s Month in South Africa than by putting up such a performance and coming away with that result.”
South Africa now faces a clash with a France side ranked fourth in the world and who have also won their opening two matches.
Latsha hopes her side can refocus quickly after the emotional rollercoaster of qualifying and keep their momentum going heading into the knockout stages.
“The beautiful thing about rugby or any sport is that the highs are really high,” she added.
“It was quite evident on the faces of the girls what it (qualification) truly meant to us and what significance it has also on what our future may potentially look like in this competition and beyond.”
“It’s important to soak all of that in enough, but also balance that with knowing when to decompress, come back to reality and understand that it’s been a tough couple of weeks, and the priority is to get our bodies and minds sharp and ready for the next one. We’re looking after our bodies and our minds as well.”
With more than 400 000 tickets already sold, and prices starting at just £5 for children and £10 for adults, fans are encouraged to secure their tickets. -Reporting by Paul Martin
