FNB UKZN Women’s rugby team have not had the best of times in the FNB Varsity Cup Women’s edition. Lack of proper preparations has been one of their most defining reasons for their slow show in the competition. This year, the Impi ladies have a plan to keep themselves in the competition and to compete, says their captain Nomonde Mbanjwa.
“The plan for us this year is to maintain our place in the FNB Varsity Cup and also to try by all means to compete. The discussion this year is to play the rugby that we know and are passionate about. We chose rugby because we love it” said the Impi captain.
The skillful Impi Women’s skipper, Mbanjwa, has been one of the consistent and outstanding players in the Durban-based side and perhaps in the competition, however she has shared the difficulty in the task of leading her ladies as lack of resources has added to that load since the competition’s inception.
“As one of the seniors I’ve been here for a long time now, I was able to participate in the FNB Varsity Cup when it started,” she said.
“Our season last season was rough. In fact, for the past two years our season in this competition has been rough. It's the same thing I’ve been saying for the past two years. We don’t get enough resources for us to prepare for a competition like this, so it makes it very hard for us to compete against institutions that invest so much in their ladies teams”.
Mbanjwa added that the Impi ladies have a shot and are ready to represent their team with pride, though under pressured circumstances.
“We get a lot of support from people around UKZN. For us to even compete against those girls in the competition, I clap and I tell the ladies I’m proud of them for putting in the effort because that’s what they have been prepared for. We need to prepare our bodies and our mentality to be in that standard of the competition,” she adds.
“We appreciate the support from Durban people. We are the underdogs and everyone has written us off but we have not written ourselves off. We have a shot and it’s up to us. We are willing and ready to showcase our talent and passion for the sport and represent UKZN with pride even though we do not get the resources we need.”
Provisional squad (subject to change):
Nomonde Mbanjwa, Amanda Madlala, Moonlight Mathebula, Siphokuhle Mdletshe, Ziyanda Felicia Shazi, Snethemba Mzimela, Nonhlanzeka Khuzwayo, Thandiswa Moyane, Asanda Manyoni, Amanda Dladla, Asiphe Mokhadi, Sifanele Dube, Mahlogonolo Nkoane, Kimberely Fynn, Lulama Cele, Athiphile Njiyela, Xoliswa Mthimkhulu, Anele Mkhize, Zama Mbeje, Avela Gwala, Akhona Gumede, Owethu Nkonyani, Sphumelele Gumede, Mpilenhle Zikalala, Sandulelo Nyawose, Nosipho Mkhize, Philisiwe Bekwa, Nonduduzo Yengwa, Landelizwi Dlamini, Nhlazneko Mzimela, and Asiyethu Ellenah Kalimba Mthembu.
Fixtures: HERE
Tickets: HERE
By: Mpendulo Letsoalo
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