The next Eben: 'I want 100 caps and more'
INTERVIEW: With Eben Etzebeth becoming the most-capped Test player on Saturday when Springboks take on Los Pumas, there is another legend in the making who has dreams of following in his footsteps.
Etzebeth will make a record 128th Test appearance, overtaking fellow lock Victor Matfield, who retired in 2015.
The lock will hope to celebrate the record fine style by claiming the Rugby Championship trophy should South Africa secure a win over Argentina at Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit.
While Etzebeth, along with Matfield, has made an incredible impact at the Springboks, South African Women lock Vainah Ubisi is working hard to emulate their legendary status.
⌛ WXV tomorrow!https://t.co/2YjdeUhzHW#Rugby365 #WXV #BokWomen pic.twitter.com/eeb1QYrMdh
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) September 26, 2024
Ubisi has been putting in a massive performance at provincial level for the Bulls Daisies and on the international stage for the Springbok Women side.
She was the Player of the Match during the Women’s Premier Division Final between the Bulls and Western Province in August.
She was also named the Forward of the Year at the Bulls Awards this year.
The 21-year-old has continued with that form at Test level, making strong carries, putting in solid tackles and also finding her way over the white chalk.
Her performance during the Springbok Women’s 59-17 win over Barbarians saw her claim the Player of the Match and she backed that up with another incredible show against Spain.
Born in Moletjie Leokama in Limpopo, Ubisi started playing rugby at the tender age of 12 years old at Mokgoba Primary School and then continued throughout high school.
Her list of teams includes the Golden Lions and Border Ladies and she is currently at the Bulls Daisies.
“I started rugby at primary school, but it was only for one year because we did not have the coaching staff,” Ubisi stated at the Springbok Women Blazer Ceremony in Cape Town.
“I took a break and continued at high school in 2016 and have not stopped ever since.”
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The lock admits the journey to becoming a Bok has not been easy.
“You have to sacrifice a lot. You have to limit your social life and your time with friends. You find that you don’t have time for friends anymore.
“However, your commitment to rugby makes the sacrifices worthwhile because you are focused on the main goal.
“You go to training, you come back tired and you don’t have a lot of energy.”
Not knowing she would score the winning try during the Springbok Women’s win over Japan in the WXV 2 opener Ubisi revealed her main goal in the Green and Gold jersey is to become one of the most-capped players.
Currently, Springbok Women captain Nolusindiso Booi is the most-capped player with 47 caps.
“I want to be one of the most capped players,” she stated with a big smile.
“I want 100 caps and more for the Bok women.”
With 16 caps to her name, Ubisi has a long way to go. However with her talent, one finds it hard to believe she would not become another lock who will earn that prestigious achievement.
Commenting on the growing interest and pressure of becoming one of the stars in the Bok Women set-up. Ubisi said she has embraced her role model responsibility for the young girls and stated it is extra motivation.
“I feel happy that young girls are looking up to me because I was also that young girl who couldn’t believe that I could make the Springbok team.
“However, my dream came true and it’s a great feeling.
“I want to urge that girl not to stop dreaming and dreams do come true.
“I know every time I take to the field a young girl is watching and looking at Vainah, so I have to deliver my best performance each time.”
