Mandeni’s Mary Zulu made her World Cup debut for the Springbok Women against France on Sunday.

The 22-year-old rising star earned her sixteenth national cap, starting at flyhalf in the final game of South Africa’s World Cup round-robin stage in Northampton, England. It was a difficult outing for the Boks, who lost 57-10, but they had done enough by beating Brazil and Italy earlier in the competition to qualify for the quarter-finals.

For Mary, a shot at World Cup glory is a far cry from the Blessed Gérard Children’s Home in Mandeni, where she was taken in as a baby.

She first picked up rugby as a young teenager under the guidance of children’s home manager Hayne Clark and quickly rose through provincial and national ranks. Mary was picked for the SA U20 team in early 2022 and was called up to the senior squad later that year, since featuring in a number of continental tournaments.

The World Cup is her first opportunity to take on the true elite of the women’s game and the experience will no doubt be invaluable. Win or lose, one thing is for sure – Mary will keep the children’s home close as she runs out onto the field.

“That’s who I play for, that’s my family. With their help and God’s guidance, that’s how I have ended up where I am today.”

The Springbok Women will face New Zealand in Exeter at 2pm on Saturday.

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