Hele: Bok Women's advantage ahead of Italy showdown
INTERVIEW: Springbok Women No.8 Aseza Hele believes her team’s newfound belief and guts will secure a rare win over Italy on Saturday.
It is a big occasion for South Africa, who have a mathematical chance of finishing top of the WXV 2 standing on Saturday when they face Italy at Athlone Stadium.
The two teams also met in the inaugural tournament last year in South Africa.
In that game, the Bok Women went down 18-36 to Le Azzure and Hele was red-carded.
However, since then a lot of things have changed. The Bok Women are now under new management steered by performance head coach Swys de Bruin.
They have secured noteworthy wins over Barbarians, Spain, and Japan and impressed in their narrow defeat to Australia last week.
Speaking to @rugby365com, the Springbok Women No.8 Hele said the management team has been the main reason behind the big shift in the team.
She said they have created a very positive environment, where players can strive.
“We are building a sisterhood,” Hele said with a big smile.
“Last year we were not [as positive] but now we are getting better. We are becoming a family and getting united.
“’Oom’ (the Afrikaans phrase for uncle) Swys always says my management is united there are no cracks. So, when you see your management is unified and doing well it motivates you to do the same thing.”
She added: “If people come in with good intentions, wanting the team to do well, we as players might as well join the party.
“They have brought a good vibe and everybody is happy.”
#InjuryUpdate: A big boost for @WomenBoks! #rugby #news @WXVRugby https://t.co/oUFGagcaEK
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) October 8, 2024
Hele, who returned to Boland Dames after her stint for the Harlequins Women in the Premiership, has been one of the standout performers in the Bok Women’s side.
She is a ferocious ball carrier and never shies away from putting in the big hits, while her work rate is another attribute that makes her one of the leading loose forwards in this year’s competition.
The hard-running No.8 credits her teammates for her impressive form.
“I’m not doing it alone, I’m doing it with my teammates, who support me,” said Hele.
“This is a team sport, you never say I did this or that, it’s all about the team.
“So when I have my teammates next to me I can be the person who I am because of them.
“I know I have a gift and talent, but it needs to be helped by someone else which is my teammates.”
View this post on Instagram
Hele will want to deliver another impressive display when the Bok Women take on Italy in the final round of the 2024 WXV 2.
Italy head to the match at the back of an 8-5 win over Wales and will want to finish the tournament strong.
The Springbok Women are currently third on the log with seven points behind Scotland (8) and Australia (10) and win by more or less 50 points could see the Bok Women stand a slim chance of topping the standing.
“I’m excited and nervous because you can’t undermine the other team,” said the 29-year-old.
“[Italy] are ranked higher than us in the world, but we just played a top-ranked team Australia, and we were able to almost draw with them.
“So we have to take the same motivation, hard work, and guts and implement it in the game against Italy.
“We really want to win, do better, and make South Africans proud.”
“I think a few years ago no one was talking about us, but now we have changed the mindset.
“Despite the defeat against Wallaroos we are getting positive comments and we want to continue and fight till the end this coming weekend.”
She added: “The crowd at Athlone was really special. We are feeling a sense of belonging.”
Off the field, one would never say that it’s the same Hele affectionately known as ‘Blommie’, who put in the big hits, strong runs, and powerful carries.
“When I look at the pictures or videos, I always wonder if is me and ask myself what is going on.
“But it [the transformation] just happens naturally. It is difficult to explain.”
When asked where the nickname ‘Blommie’ stems from, Hele, who is from KwaDwesi, a small township just outside Gqeberha, revealed it has travelled with her since her netball days.
“I used to play netball and my coach could not pronounce my name Aseza, it was difficult for her.
“So she said she wanted to get it right but also wanted to give me a special name Blommie,” said Hele.
“She told me; ‘Blommie is an Afrikaans phrase for beautiful flower because you are beautiful and you always have a smile on your face. You brighten up everyone.’
“And I was like okay cool, I like Blommie and then it moved to rugby because it was only the netball players that used to call me that.
“In rugby, I was first Amarula and then suddenly it shifted to Blommie.”
View this post on Instagram
