The northern hemisphere won't shock Bok Women
Springbok Women vice-captain Babalwa Latsha’s experience of northern hemisphere rugby with Harlequins could be a decisive advantage at the 2025 World Cup.
Latsha will have the chance to put her rugby knowledge to work when the Springbok Women face some of the top teams in the world in England.
The 31-year-old spent three years with English club Harlequins before returning home in May 2025.
During her time at the Premiership club, the prop became a well-known figure, making 29 appearances and scoring a try in the Premiership Women’s semifinal in March.
Now named vice-captain of the Springbok Women, Latsha said her experience in England will be beneficial to the team.
“My three-year stay at Harlequins in the UK helped me a lot in terms of my own development as a player,” Latsha said.
“We are going back there, and it feels like a second home to me, so the shock element is not there.
“I think because I was in that great environment, I can cross-pollinate the things I’ve learned at the Quins.”
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Aside from Latsha, Springbok lock Danelle Lochner and loose forward Catha Jacobs are other South Africans who have plied their trade in England.
Springbok loose forward Aseza Hele also had a short stint at Harlequins before returning to South Africa to play for Boland Dames.
The Springbok Women are drawn into a challenging pool featuring Brazil, Italy, and tournament contenders France. While expectations are rising, Latsha said the squad is remaining grounded.
“We had a very good preparation phase heading into the World Cup.
“We struggled together, we trained very hard together, and that has brought us closer as a group,” Latsha said.
“I am confident that we are as well prepared as we can be going into the World Cup.”
The side had an intense World Cup preparation campaign, which included a series defeat to Canada and a loss to the Black Ferns XV.
Their final preparation match saw them secure a win over the New Zealanders at Athlone Stadium, serving as a timely boost for the squad, who are aiming to book a quarterfinal spot for the first time in history.
“The important thing for us is that we are more inward-focused – by that, I mean we look at ourselves more than anything else.
“We take each phase as it comes, just like we took Canada as it came, and New Zealand XV as it came. This means we will examine Brazil first before considering anything else.
“I think we can’t get too lost in the bigger picture, forgetting the smaller steps that will get us there.”
Being the first African woman to sign a professional rugby contract – when she joined Spanish side SD Eibar Femenino in 2020 – Latsha is all too familiar with the responsibility she and her teammates carry.
“It’s a dream come true for many of us, and it’s fuel for us to do well,” she stated.
“We understand there are people looking up to us, and there is a brand-new generation of young women who see themselves in us and believe in their dreams just a little bit more because they see us on the world stage.”
