Gert Sibande triumphs in regional women’s rugby season opener
Ehlanzeni succumbed to Gert Sibande in the first fixture of the 2024 MWRU Women’s Regional Tournament which was played at Sasol Recreational Club in eMbalenhle on April 13.
The Gert Sibande District’s women’s rugby team triumphed over Ehlanzeni in the first match of the 2024 MWRU Women’s Regional Tournament, played in eMbalenhle on April 13.
This regional competition is an annual tournament, held for the first time in 2023 as simply a 10-a-side competition. But, the success of the first edition in 2023 saw women’s rugby in Mpumalanga grow to the point where the competition is now 15-a-side in 2024.
It is organised by the Mpumalanga Women’s Rugby Union (MWRU) with the three Mpumalanga districts, Ehlanzeni, Gert Sibande and Nkangala, all taking part. Matches are played on a weekly basis where two teams play each other, while one has a bye until their turn comes around the following week.
The opening weekend of this year’s tournament was on April 13 at the Sasol Recreational Club in eMbalenhle, where Gert Sibande and Ehlanzeni battled it out. The home team emerged victorious by a score of 29-15. Silindile Nyembe scored three tries and slotted two conversions while Khethokuhle Khumalo also scored two tries.
Nonkululeko Nobela, Qawekazi Mdolomba and Bathabile Hlatshwayo scored a try each for Ehlanzeni. Every match played in the league also helps serve as scouting opportunities for the Pumas Women’s team.
