UKZN Rugby Makes History in the Province

UKZN Rugby Makes History in the Province

UKZN Durban (women’s team) recently beat Varsity College at the KZN Rugby Union’s Murray Cup Final with a resounding 45-0 win!

The game was played at Varsity College Riverside Sports Club on Saturday, 26 August, where the team wowed the crowd.

Chairperson of the UKZN Durban Rugby Club and UKZN alumnus, Ms Thembalethu Ntuli congratulated the team on their epic season and on winning the tournament. ‘We are destined for more – more greatness and more victories as well. Let’s savour this moment but remember there’s more to come. Let’s keep working hard and let’s keep getting those trophies – let’s collect them!’ she said.

She acknowledged everyone who had played a role in the team’s success. ‘Don’t forget where we come from – we know the hard work that we’ve put in. Management, the players, staff – everyone has contributed to where we are today,’ said Ntuli.

The team’s performances at the tournament have made an indelible mark in rugby history in the province. ‘This was the first Murray Cup for women and we are also seeing great growth in women’s rugby. This tournament will mark a moment of growth for women’s rugby in KZN because we received the same prize money as the men. Nothing about the rules, nothing about the game, nothing about the prize-winnings was different,’ said Ntuli.

‘To be a part of that history is a great honour and it’s also a big ijoka (heavy load) – it means that many are yet to follow in our footsteps and they will be greater, but we also need to be greater than this point in history by the end of our journey.’

While the whole team is commended for the win, three players were highlighted for their inspirational performances during the tournament:

• The woman of the entire tournament, Sisanda Ndlela, who is currently doing her final-year B Architectural Studies on the Howard College campus
• The woman of the match in the final, Nontobeko Mathupha – the captain of the team and a Bachelor of Arts student on the Howard College campus
• For our semi-final game, the woman of the match Siphokuhle Mdletshe – a BCom General student on the Westville campus

Ntuli said what stood out from the game was the team effort. ‘There was beautiful chemistry between the team – they played like a family,’ she said. Ntuli also acknowledged Ndlela and Mathupha (our two centres) who were ‘able to read each other throughout the game which was spoken about by commentators and spectators at the game.’ Both centres scored tries, with Mathupha scoring a hat-trick!

The UKZN women’s rugby team is riding a wave of success in the sporting world – the University community celebrates their wins and wishes them well for the rest of the season.

Words: Raylene Captain Hasthibeer

Photograph: Henry Rutherford