Another Maties women’s rugby player was recently selected for the South African U20 squad. This selection comes after the Maties U20 team has won seven of their nine games this season.
This is according to Johann Zeier, head coach of Maties women’s rugby.
“We’ve grown in numbers and performed well in our league fixtures,” stated Zeier, in written correspondence with MatieMedia.
Stellenbosch University’s Maties women’s rugby team played their first 15s game against Brackenfell this season, beating their opponents 46-0. This is according to Blaine Apollos, Maties women’s rugby team member. PHOTO: Chelsea Burnell
Selected for SA
Elmé Kruger, a Maties women’s rugby player, was recently selected for the South African (SA) U20 squad, making her the second Springbok player to be selected from the team in 2022, stated Zeier.
The first player to be selected was Bianca Augustyn, who recently returned from playing in the Springbok Women’s sevens team at the Commonwealth Games, said Zeier.
Elmé Kruger is a second-year Stellenbosch University BSc sport science student and a Maties women’s rugby team member. She was recently selected for the South African U20 women’s rugby team. She hopes to play in the upcoming match between SA U20 and Zimbabwe on 19 August, Kruger stated. PHOTO: Chelsea Burnell
It was a “childhood dream becoming real” to be selected for the team, said Kruger, who heard of her Springbok selection on 8 August while on the sidelines for a Maties rugby training session.
“When I called my family afterwards, we were in tears, because they have supported me for years through some very tough years,” said Kruger. “That moment made it all worthwhile.”
“Teams like the SA U20 women’s [rugby team] boost everyone’s drive to perform well and be eligible for selection,” said Zeier.
Lessons learnt
Training for the Maties women’s rugby team consists of three weekly sessions on the Coetzenburg rugby pitch, as well as strength and conditioning training, according to Zeier.
While the team has put in effort to be physically well-prepared for the upcoming University Sports South Africa (USSA) tournament in September, team members have been encouraged to prioritise their academics in university, he stated.
“I play rugby, what is your superpower?” For Elmé Kruger, a player on the Maties women’s rugby team and student at Stellenbosch University, this slogan sums up what rugby is about. Pictured above is the Maties women’s rugby team during their first match against Brackenfell hosted at Coetzenburg earlier this year. PHOTO: Supplied/Erin Bond
The training sessions were aimed at promoting accountability and perseverance to ensure the players become well-rounded individuals, according to Blaine Apollos, Maties women’s rugby team player, who is studying a postgraduate LLB at Stellenbosch University.
“Coach Johann reminds us how these qualities will make us perform better, not only on the field, but also in the workplace one day,” said Apollos. “I would encourage more women to play rugby. It has taught me important lessons about discipline, integrity and consistency.”