VIDEO: SA star eager to boost country's Premier Division
INTERVIEW: Springbok Women star Babalwa Latsha is determined to make the South African women’s game a force to be reckoned with as she returns home.
It has been five years since prop Latsha became the first African woman to sign a professional rugby contract when she joined Spanish side SD Eibar Femenino in 2020.
Hailing from Khayelitsha, the star returned home in 2021 and played for Western Province.
However, her tremendous talent was quickly noticed, and she soon signed a deal with English club Harlequins in 2023.
During her time at the Premiership club, the prop became a well-known figure, making 29 appearances for the side and scoring a try in the Premiership Women’s semifinal in March.
Last week, the 31-year-old confirmed she will conclude her tenure with Harlequins and return to South Africa.
Aside from Latsha, Springbok lock Daniel Lochner and Catha Jacobs are the other South African contingent at the club.
Springbok loose forward Aseza Hele also had a short stint at the Quins before returning to South Africa to play for Boland Dames.
While it is certain that the former University of the Western Cape student will feature in next season’s Women’s Premier Division, the star is yet to confirm her next destination.
Bulls Daisies, the only professional team in the country, are likely to lure the 31-year-old to Pretoria.
She started her career at Western Province and returned to the Cape side for a short stint from 2021 to 2022, following her time in Spain.
“I had a fantastic time at Harlequins. The past three years have been phenomenal – I’ve loved every second of it,” Latsha told rugby365 at the Bok Women training session at Paul Roos.
“But I am excited to be home. Excited to find my feet and rhythm again within the South African women’s rugby space.”
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Latsha said she is more than happy to share the knowledge she has accumulated during her time abroad.
“I’m eager to cross-pollinate what I’ve learned over there and potentially be part of the revolution of the domestic Premier Division.”
When asked about her future team, she said: “At the moment, it is off-season, but once pre-season kicks off, there will be a clearer direction as to where I’ll be going.”
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Latsha has been training with the Springboks as they prepare for a momentous rugby schedule.
The Springbok Women will look to become the first South African squad to make the quarterfinals when they face Brazil, Italy, and France at the World Cup in England later this year.
However, before that, the team will take on Canada in a two-Test series and the Black Ferns XV.
“The key thing for us as a group is to display a fantastic brand of rugby and to show what South African rugby is capable of.
“We are going to the World Cup to compete, not just participate, and to show that nothing is impossible in the women’s rugby space.
“I think it’s time we take it upon ourselves to catapult South African women’s rugby to the next level.”
She added: “The games before the World Cup – especially Canada – will be good markers for us.
“To assess how far we’ve come and how far we still need to go.
“Canada is a fantastic side, a top-four team, which will be a phenomenal challenge for us. We’ll be able to assess and test how well we’ve been building since our new coach, the legendary Swys de Bruin.”
De Bruin took over as high-performance coach in August, and the team has since recorded some impressive wins.
“He is a phenomenal coach and an even more phenomenal person. His dad jokes are top-tier.
“His rugby knowledge, energy, and approach are top-shelf. We love having him in our environment, and he’s fitted in quite well.”
South African rugby has long been known for its physicality, and with the women’s team, it’s no different.
The Springbok Women’s forwards pack a powerful punch, and Latsha said it will be a formidable attacking weapon.
“We can’t shy away from the fact that we have a strong scrum, typical of South African rugby across the board.
“We love set-pieces, and it is one of our weapons going forward.”
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