TuksRugby7’s women’s team is on a quest to complete international hat-trick
Tuks's well-known women 7’s rugby team will this weekend again compete against international opponents at the Emirates Dubai Sevens tournament.
The Delta Drone TuksRugby7’s women’s team will be on a quest to complete a hat-trick of international tournament victories when they take to the field during the Emirates Dubai Sevens Tournament this weekend.
Earlier this season the Tuks team won the Stanlisas Sevens Tournament in France, and in October they were victorious in the Munchen October Fest Tournament. Another highlight was playing in the final in Rome.
Tuks captain Libbie Janse van Rensburg is quietly confident about the team’s prospects for the Dubai Tournament.
“I think on paper this is certainly one of the best Tuks teams. The challenge will be to make sure that we make it work on the field. I am sure we will. There is a sense of anticipation amongst the players. It is if they cannot wait to go out and play. That is always a good sign,” she said.
Tuks has a good track record in Dubai. In the past when there was only one women’s competition they twice managed to qualify for the semi-final and twice won the plate-final. One of their best victories was beating the USA’s women’s team.
The Tuks team is now competing in the International Invitational Tournament. That is a competition for players who are not part of the Women Sevens World Series.
In their first game Tuks will play against the Tabusoro Angels which is a combined team of the best players from Sweden, Norway and Finland.
Tuks also has a few international players. Maryna Borodina from Ukraine and Marie Menanteau from France have joined the team as well as has Isabella Paetzold (Germany).
Paetzold who has finished school last year is taking a gap year to experience the South African lifestyle and learn rugby.
She used to be a talented 100m-hurdler, but after seeing her friend play rugby, she decided that she is not going to miss out on the fun. She got converted to rugby the first time she touched the ball.
“Rugby is such an exciting game. That is why when I decided to come out to South Africa I decided I want to learn as much as possible from the best. It is a great honour for me to be playing for Tuks. I hope I don’t disappoint the team.”
Paetzold will be playing for Tuks until April which means she will also tour with the team to Fidji at the end of January.
According to her more female athletes in Germany are starting to play sevens rugby, but it will be a few years before the country will be a force in international sevens rugby.
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