VIDEO: Why BlazeBoks Olympics presence is important
Breaking barriers and redefining the game in South Africa has always been Zintle Mpupha’s forte.
Born in the small town of Middeldrift also known as Xesi in Eastern Cape, the South African women’s pioneer will co-captain the BlazeBoks at the 2024 Olympics in Paris.
It is a momentous occasion for Mpupha and the team, who will become the very first South African women’s Sevens side to participate in the Olympics.
The team failed to qualify for the 2020 showpiece in Tokyo.
Speaking to @rugby365com, the BlazeBoks co-captain Mpupha paid tribute to her predecessors for laying the foundation.
“Being named in the squad, the first-ever SA women’s Sevens side to compete in the Olympics, is an honour and a dream come true,” the 30-year-old said.
“It’s a testament to the ladies, who came before us and set the platform.
“If it was not for them, we wouldn’t be able to go to the Olympics.
“So I appreciate what they have done in the past.”
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The women have a strenuous task at hand with games against Australia, Ireland and Great Britain in Pool B.
However, it would be unwise to underestimate a determined green and gold side, who secured a win over Great Britain during the SVNS Series.
“We have played all of them in the World Rugby SVNS series,” Mpupha said, adding: “We never backed down from a fight.
“We won against GB and they won and they know it’s always going to be a fight.
“For us, after seeing the pool, we are just focusing on ourselves.
“It doesn’t matter who comes against us.
“It’s all about day one, game one and then heading to day two and focusing on us at the tournament.”
Although the BlazeBoks are not touted as contenders for the medal heading in Paris, the side has provided a sense of optimism for the future.
The women’s game has always been on the outskirts of the sport in South Africa.
The lack of media coverage and funding makes it difficult for the game to flourish.
And while there is still a long way to go, Mpupha along with the likes of Nadine Roos, Libbie Janse Van Rensburg and Veroeshka Grain carry the responsibility to grow the game with pride and honor.
“We signed up for it. We wanted to see women’s rugby grow,” said Mpupha.
“It is not exactly where we wanted to be at this moment, but it is going in the right direction.
“To be part of a group that one day a girl will see on TV and say she wants to be like that person or wants to represent the BlazeBoks team in the Olympics, is amazing.
“So it’s not only our dreams that are coming true, but it’s also lighting up the younger generations’ dreams as well.
“It’s unexplainable having all that on your shoulders.”
The Bulls Daisies star stated she hopes to inspire young girls to dream big irrespective of where they come from.
“Compared to where I started I never even knew I could participate in the Olympics
“And up until we went to qualifiers, was denied twice, and that’s when it started to sink in, that this is a huge stage.
“It’s not just rugby but all the other sporting codes and it hit me that this is a big deal.
“Hopefully a girl like me, coming from a very small town- a village – is not going to dream small like I did, but they are now going to be aware of the Olympics and rugby can take you to the Olympics as well.”
The BlazeBoks open their campaign against the defending champions Australia on Sunday, July 28.
They also have matches against Ireland (Sunday, July 28) and Great Britain (Monday, July 29) in Pool B.
SA women’s sevens squad for Paris 2024: Mathrin Simmers, Zintle Mpupha, Sizophila Solontsi, Veroeshka Grain, Kemisetso Baloyi, Nadine Roos, Liske Lategan, Byrhandre Dolf, Ayanda Malinga, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Marlize de Bruin, Maria Tshiremba, Shona-Leah Weston (travelling reserve), Shiniqwa Lamprecht (travelling reserve).
