ASIPHE SHINES IN SPRINGBOK DEBUT

BY MYOLISI GOPHE

ASIPHE MAYABA’S JOURNEY INTO RUGBY began with her friends as a mere curiosity during her high school years. When her friends gradually dropped out of the sport, Mayaba stood firm as the only girl among the boys, primarily because she had developed a profound passion for the game.

WHAT ALSO SET MAYABA APART was her extraordinary talent on the field, and her dedication and prowess were soon rewarded with a call-up to the senior national rugby team, the Springbok Women.

JUST A FEW MONTHS AGO, the University of the Western Cape (UWC) student joined them on a European tour to the United Kingdom and Spain, as well as to Madagascar for the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, where she made her debut in May.

IN AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE, the winger scored a try against the host nation and an astounding four tries in a resounding victory over Cameroon.

REFLECTING ON HER JOURNEY, the first-year BA student says: “It was an amazing experience because I met players I had only ever seen on TV. I also got to experience travelling overseas, which was truly remarkable.”

For Mayaba, the opportunity to follow in the footsteps of UWC alumnae who have also represented the Springbok Women, such as Babalwa Latsha and Nosipho Poswa, means the world to her.

“It has always been a dream of mine. Now that I have the opportunity, I am ecstatic,” says Mayaba, who attributes much of her success to her coach, Mthuthuzeli Madikane.

MAYABA’S JOURNEY TO THE NATIONAL STAGE began when her speed and skills saw her selected for the under-19 and under-20 Junior Springbok sides last year. This year, she was invited to join the senior Springbok camp, a testament to her remarkable progress.

MAYABA, who went to Sobambisana Primary School and Usasazo High School in Khayelitsha, remembers being the only girl playing rugby with the boys in 2019. Despite the occasional feeling of embarrassment, her love for the sport propelled her forward. “It was great, but sometimes I felt embarrassed that I was the only girl playing rugby with boys in my school. But I continued because I enjoyed rugby. Nothing could stop me from playing it.”

THE WINGER HAS STRUGGLED AT TIMES to balance her athletic pursuits with her academic responsibilities. “I plan my training days and my study days very carefully. Sometimes it is tough to catch up with school work, but I always ensure I do,” she says.

UWC RUGBY MANAGER CLEMENT TROUT congratulated Mayaba for her achievement in being selected for the Springbok Women. He says her success reflects positively on the university’s rugby programme.

“It shows we have quality players who come to UWC to play and study here. It is always good for them to gain international experience that they can share with other players. Hopefully, we can have more Asiphes going forward,” says Trout.