Springbok Women stalwart Lindelwa Gwala is confident that her exposure to the world’s leading players competing in the Allianz Premiership not only improved her as a player and person, but will also boost her ability to keep contributing to the squad as they prepare for Saturday’s Test against Spain in Valladolid.
Gwala, who has 27 Springbok Women Test caps to her name, moved to the Ealing Trailfinders at the beginning of the English club season and joined up with her fellow South Africans in Scotland last week. Having arrived in Spain with the team and the focus moving to Test rugby, she is ready to contribute if required.
“If selected to play on Saturday, I will be very keen to bring my skills and experience into the team and help contribute towards victory,” said Gwala.
“Playing at Ealing has certainly made me aware of how far I need to go to fulfil my potential and what opportunities there are to improve as a player and person.
“So, coming back into the squad at the beginning of the tour was great. I was happy to see everyone again, but also happy to know that I am joining them as a completer and more rounded player and person as last time I left them.
“I know they were training hard at the beginning of the year as they prepared for this tour, but I can confidently say that I was doing the same at my club. Now, being reunited with them and knowing that I am familiar with the structures again, makes me keen to contribute.”
With the four Premiership players on tour not available for the Rugby World Cup qualifiers in Madagascar in May, Gwala sees this tour as doing her part on that road.
“We are not going to be there, but we are here now, so our contributions need to be positive that will improve the output this weekend and next, when we play USA. I see this as my bit towards us trying to qualify for next year tournament in England,” said Gwala, who believes Spain will present a tough challenge.
“We played them three times in the last two years, including the Madrid test last year at this time. They will be very competitive as they have good players in their squad.
“It will be a match of contrasting styles. We like to be physical and dominate up front, while they prefer to play with their backs and move the ball around. We know that stopping them at source and disrupting their pack will put them under pressure.”
The match-23 to play Spain will be announced on Thursday.
FLAK Angel
Manufacturing rugby balls caused a very unusual and tragic death – In rugby’s early days, Richard Lindon’s leather shop was in high demand for balls. He enlisted the help of his wife Rebecca, but she tragically passed away due to the germs she ingested from the bladders while blowing them up. Lindon searched for an alternative to pig’s bladders from that point onward.
Queen Bee
Sport Trivia: Apart from a team event bronze medal in 1992, Ghana won three other individual Olympic medals in the 20th century. These were all in the same event. Which event was this? Answer: Boxing. Ghanaian boxers won silver in Rome in 1960, bronze in Tokyo in 1964, and Munich in 1972.