Despite the weight of expectation, Springbok Women’s Sevens assistant coach Cecil Afrika is confident the team will transform this pressure into a driving force.
THE SPRINGBOK Women’s Sevens squad will embark on a pivotal journey to Accra, Ghana, this Wednesday, with their eyes set on securing a spot in the World Rugby Challenger Series.
They’ll face formidable competition at the Africa Women’s Sevens tournament this Saturday and Sunday, where they’ll encounter teams from across the continent at the University of Ghana Rugby Stadium.
Despite the weight of expectation, Springbok Women’s Sevens assistant coach Cecil Afrika is confident the team will transform this pressure into a driving force. “There is always pressure at this level,” said Afrika. “We need to do well in this tournament to secure a place in the World Rugby Challenger Series, and we are aware of that reality.
“That pressure will always be there in professional sports, so we need to convert that to internal motivation for the squad.”
A new destination and some new players, but the #BokWomen7s know what needs to be done when they arrive in Ghana later this week – https://t.co/QUqEPwybXC 🧐#RiseUp
— SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) November 5, 2024
Afrika emphasised that the team’s primary focus is on their own performance rather than external pressures. Having prepared thoroughly in Stellenbosch, the team is aiming to carry their training momentum into Accra, where they will face Burkina Faso, Zimbabwe, and Tunisia in their pool matches.
Reflecting on the preparation, Afrika said, “We know what we need to do as a squad and what is needed to be successful. That helps to get rid of the outside pressures as we focus on ourselves.”
The squad, which has an impressive history of success in previous African tournaments, also benefits from a balanced mix of seasoned players and dynamic newcomers.
This blend, according to Afrika, creates a vibrant energy that bolsters the team. “We have some experience in the squad, and that always helps. It is nice to have a couple of younger players in the team as well, as they bring energy into the setup, which perks up the senior players.”
Meanwhile, for Zintle Mpupha, a veteran who debuted with the team in 2013, the excitement of playing for South Africa remains undiminished. The tournament in Ghana represents a new challenge that the team is eager to take on, and Mpupha’s optimism is clear.
“We have been successful in Africa over the years, and I don’t see why we can’t do so again. We trained well and will most likely be the highest-ranked team there, so we also need to show why and set that standard when we play this weekend,” she said.
Players and coaches alike have embraced rigorous preparation techniques, including self-analysis through a system called Hudl, which allows players to review their training sessions.
Mpupha emphasised the importance of this tool for the team’s preparation: “We get feedback after every session and can do our own analysis on Hudl, where we can watch our training session and look at areas for improvement.”
As the Springbok Women’s Sevens head to Ghana, they bring with them not only the weight of expectation but also a sense of purpose and excitement about contributing to the growth of rugby across the African continent.
