Mokone steps up as Springbok Women target strong finish in Spain

INTERVIEW: Patience Mokone will make her first start of the European tour when the Springbok Women face Spain in the WXV Global Series in Seville on Sunday, with the versatile wing relishing another opportunity to make an impact in the green and gold.

Mokone came off the bench against Wales in the tour opener but was not included in the matchday 23 against Italy last week. Now, the former Springbok Women’s Sevens star is back in the starting line-up for her seventh Test, determined to play her part as the Bok Women look to finish the European leg of their tour strongly.

“It is great to be back. I really enjoyed the time with the sevens last time around, but this is a different game and a different challenge,” said Mokone.

“To be starting is great, but I can honestly say that everyone is contributing to the team effort. Whether you start, are on the bench or are non-playing, we all work together to prepare the team the best we can for every Test match.”

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Mokone knows Spain well, having represented the Springbok Women’s Sevens in Valladolid five months ago when one of the legs of the HSBC SVNS World Championship was played there.

Returning to Spain with the fifteens team has given her another opportunity to experience the country, but this time in a different format.

“It is great to be back,” she said. “I really enjoyed the time with the sevens last time around, but this is a different game and a different challenge.”

Mokone returned to fifteens rugby during the Bok Women’s tour of Fiji and quickly settled back into the longer format.

“It was nice to play fifteens again. I am privileged to be able to play in both systems and I slotted back in nicely in Fiji,” she said.

“This tour was also good for me; we have a strong group here and we are determined to finish well.”

For captain Babalwa Latsha, ending the European leg on a high is a key objective before the team returns home for two Tests against Ireland in Cape Town.

“We want to end the European leg of the tour well and tomorrow presents us with that opportunity,” said Latsha.

“We have two more Tests [against Ireland] in Cape Town to close out the season, so getting home with good momentum on our side will be great.”

Despite the Bok Women having won their last six matches against Spain, Latsha insisted they would not underestimate their hosts.

“We always respect our opponents, we respect the game and we respect the WXV competition,” she said.

“We are looking forward to a good contest tomorrow. We have played Spain several times and tomorrow will present a different challenge.”

Latsha was also pleased with the team’s preparations ahead of Sunday’s Test.

“We had a really good week of preparation,” she said.

“The team is in a good space, and there is good understanding of what we need to do in the different areas of the game. We just needed to confirm the clarity during this captain’s run and that was done.”

The match also carries a personal significance for Latsha, who played for Spanish club Eibar earlier in her career.

“This is where I started my professional career, so it holds special memories,” she said. “It is also good to come back here to this beautiful country and see some familiar faces.”

For Mokone, however, the focus will be firmly on contributing on the field and inspiring the next generation.

“It is great to be on the field as one can contribute directly, and I hope to deliver my bit tomorrow,” she said.

“I hope to serve the team to the best of my ability. I played against Spain in sevens, but not yet in fifteens, so I am looking forward to that challenge.”

And with young girls watching back home, Mokone sees an even bigger motivation.

“We want to inspire the next generation and group of players. We want girls to watch us play and take up the game as well,” she said.

“That is what will motivate me tomorrow, knowing that young people at clubs around the country will be watching.”

*Source SA Rugby