When a moment came for young rugby stars to shine, Alex Wolves Rugby Club players did not disappoint, according to coach Bongumenzi Mbatha.

Township-based talent from the club once again demonstrated its potential on the national stage, with both its U16 and U18 girls earning representation in the prestigious FNB tournaments as part of the Golden Lions U16 and U18 girls’ squads early this month.

Read more: Alex Wolves rugby girls rise onto the national rugby stage

Mbatha said they showcased the fruits of disciplined preparation.

First, the U16 squad travelled to KZN for the FNB U16 Girls’ Week, which took place from June 30 to July 4. Despite facing tough competition, the young Wolves displayed resilience. They opened with a narrow 17–18 loss to the Blue Bulls, bounced back with a commanding 38–5 victory over Eastern Province, and fought hard before falling 0–10 to KZN in their final match.

U16 player Thando Nhleko captured the team’s mindset ahead of the challenging opener, noting that when they heard that their first game would be against the Blue Bulls, they knew it was going to be difficult.

“We knew we had to work, and we [players] spoke about applying what we practised in training on the field,” she said.

Despite the Bulls’ intimidating reputation, the Lions stood firm and held their own. Mbatha’s players’ performances earned them valuable exposure.

Building on that momentum, the club’s U18 girls delivered even more impressive results. Mbatha said 10 Alex Wolves players were selected for the Golden Lions U18 squad after a rigorous six-week playing and selection phase, followed by a three-week high-performance camp. He credited their progress to discipline, openness to feedback, and a commitment to fixing errors.

“They showed everything that we taught them here on the field. After every game we play, we go back to our training sessions and speak about everything that went wrong. Then, they try to fix everything.”

Also read:Alex Wolves Rugby U14 team stands tall against Johannesburg’s elite

At the FNB U18 Girls’ Week in the Eastern Cape, which took place from July 4 to 10. The Lions squad, including the Alex contingent, won two of their three matches. Mbatha said they started strongly with a 26–10 victory over Border on July 6, but suffered a tight 10–12 defeat to Western Province on July 8. But they still finished on a high with a 25–6 win against the Pumas on July 10.

Standout performer Alice Ncube, the club’s flyhalf, was selected for the first-ever SA Schools Girls’ squad, a major milestone that Mbatha believes highlights the pathway from township rugby to the junior Springboks.

Through hard work and structured development, Alex Wolves continues to produce talented players who are not only competing at the local level but also carving out a clear route toward representing South Africa.

Follow us on our WhatsApp channel, Facebook, X, Instagram, and TikTok for the latest updates!