Next Job Is the Most Important for Khuzwayo

It was only two seasons ago that Xoliswa Khuzwayo made her Test debut against Spain in Valladolid, but since then, the Springbok Women prop has added two Rugby Africa Women’s Cup titles and a Women’s Rugby World Cup to her CV, as well as a recent tour to Fiji, where she started in both of South Africa’s Test victories.

Coming back to Spain feels like things have gone full circle for the 27-year-old, although this time she is in Seville, where the Bok Women will take on their hosts in the WXV Global Series on Sunday.

“It was such a big moment then, but if I am selected it will be the same, as every time I get to play for my country, it remains a special occasion,” said Khuzwayo, who has 15 Test caps to her name.

“If I look back at that day, I was excited and nervous, but grateful for the journey since then. I treasure being the 170th women’s player to wear the green and gold and hope to have that privilege for a long time to come. There are many women playing rugby and wanting to become a Springbok, so being one already means a lot to me.”

The durable prop has to compete for a match day slot with the second most capped player in Springbok Women history, Yonela Ngxingolo, and two-time RWC starter, Saneliswe Charlie, but the Golden Lions loosehead prop sees that as inspiration and motivation.

“Those who play on the day must serve the team at the best of their abilities and do the job and role the coaches laid out for them,” she explained the team dynamics around selections.

“We are in competition, but we all are there for the team first, we are not here for ourselves. It is the call of the coaches who will serve the team best on the day against a certain opponent.

“I love to start because you can get the momentum going for the rest of the squad, but coming off the bench is also bringing its own dynamics and rewards.”

Khuzwayo is confident that if she gets the nod to play against Spain, she will be able to contribute as expected: “I am a much more experienced player than last time, so that will make a difference. Also, it gives one confidence that you have played at this level for a while now, as last time I was starting in my first Test.

“The other thing is that we have grown as a team as well, we are now in the top ten and competing against the number twos and fives of this world, so you have to deliver when you get your opportunity. We also know that if we work hard at training, the coaches will reward that.”

Khuzwayo said the best is yet to come for her and the Springbok Women: “Amongst the top ten we are still the underdogs, but that is something we don’t mind being called. We are okay with that tag. We know what we know and where we are going.”

The team will be announced on Friday.