Tuks women’s sevens rugby team impress in Italy
The Tuks women's sevens rugby team continues to surprise experts with their achievements against international opposition.
The Tuks women’s sevens rugby team gave another sterling performance over the weekend in Italy when they qualified for the final of the Roma Sevens Tournament.
China was victorious in the final beating Tuks team 17-14 but it was certainly a scenario of the Tuks team boxing above their weight. In the build-up to the final, they managed to beat Italy’s national team 38-0, Japan 33-10 and a team of Catalonia 24-5. For the record, Japan is ranked 12th in the world, China 15th and Italy 24th.
China won the recent Amsterdam Women’s Sevens Tournament by beating Wales in the final.
What was also remarkable about the Tuks team’s performance is how they managed to turn their game around when it really mattered. In their first encounter against China, they lost 37-12.
Riaan van der Merwe ascribed his team’s turnabout to going back to the basics.
“The players were really down and out after the first game against China. The problem was that the Chinese are physically big and strong so they overpowered us with brutal strength. I will admit it was a challenge to change the mindset of zero to hero before the final. In the end, I decided the best advice I could give to the players was to do the basics rights. Meaning if there is a tackle to be made do it, don’t wait for a teammate to do so.
“We also worked a lot to master the kick-off to retain the ball. In the first game the Chinese literally just ran over us during the first game.”
In what should be no surprise Nadine Roos who also plays for the Springbok Sevens was the top try scorer with nine tries.
Van der Merwe rates the try Xandrea Breitenbach scored in the final against China as one the best he has ever seen.
“Kemi Baloyi was certainly one of our gutsiest players in this tournament. In final she was nearly beheaded in a tackle but there was still no stopping her. She gave as good as she got,” said the coach.
Libbie Janse van Rensburg (captain) said she felt privileged to captain the team.
“Because we are all so passionate about what we do you cannot help to lift your game when you take to the field. It is case of one for all and all for one. I know it has been said on countless occasions but we play to make Tuks and our sponsor DeltaDrone proud,” said the captain.
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