Babalwa Latsha talks Boks captaincy and the 'experience of a lifetime'

Babalwa Latsha knows the weight and magnitude of being a Springbok captain and she “excitedly” and “humbly” accepted the responsibility when Swys de Bruin named her as the team’s new skipper in July.

Latsha takes over from her close friend Nolusindiso Booi, who she says has helped shape her as a leader. The 32-year-old’s first games in charge as official captain was South Africa’s tied two-Test series against the USA Women’s Eagles.

Latsha, who has previously captained the Springboks 17 times before being given the full-time title, has travelled with the team who are competing against Fiji in the first of two Tests on Saturday.

Latsha said: “I think I have grown over time into the leadership position. Leadership comes naturally to me. I have been in the system long enough, just shy of a decade, to appreciate and understand [what we’re trying to achieve]. Also to develop emotional intelligence to be able to listen, observe and respond accordingly to the needs of my team as a whole and the needs of individuals.

“It is not just about me saying motivational things and getting the squad fired up but I believe it is also about listening and observing. Getting to know my teammates individually so that I know how to address things that affect individuals within the collective.

“Booi may have had some influence over my leadership style because I am very close with her. But I think as an individual I have my own unique way. A cornerstone for all of that is always putting the team first.”

The Springboks have been enjoying the country of Fiji since arriving last week. On an off day from rugby the players have been exploring with activities including hiking and snorkeling. And so while they are in Fiji for “business” for the Tests on 8 and 15 August, they too are building closer bonds between the squad.

“The game of rugby is such an incredible sport because you’re getting lifelong relationships and that is evident in our squad,” Latsha added. “A lot of girls went to explore and to have fun. We had a beautiful welcoming ceremony from the locals which really resonated with us because it is similar to our culture as well. We have a real warm and welcoming spirit. We really appreciated and respected the ceremony, it was really beautiful.”

These games are part of South Africa building on a historic run at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. They reached the quarter-finals for the first time and in this Women’s Rugby World Cup cycle the team are focused on climbing the world rankings and “building a good base” for the 2029 edition of tournament in Australia.

The 2025 competition not only saw their results improve but the reception the team received from those back home also shifted.

Latsa said: “We got to see firsthand the phenomenon that is women’s rugby globally and we got a real taste of what it is like to be recognised as a female athlete and rugby player. What it feels to be celebrated.

“A lot of the girls have never truly had a sense of that and that World Cup was a chance to write history, to reach a quarter-final for the first time but also to be recognised as someone who is actually good at what they do and for them to express themselves on such a fantastic stage. It was the experience of a lifetime.

“That momentum we were able to garner at the World Cup shifted perspectives at home of who the Springboks Women are and what we represent. Now we have been catapulted into being role models and being positive points of references where young girls can see themselves in us, we represent them essentially. That World Cup opened up an entire new world for us and for how we are able to then influence the next generation of potential Springbok Women.”

During the tournament, Latsha also used her platform to promote the issue of period poverty. The tighthead prop is a director of the MENstruation foundation which offers free sanitary products with the hope of ending period poverty.

Latsha, who experienced period poverty herself, added the issue is a “human issue, not just a women’s issue”.

“Period poverty affects millions of women and young girls across the world, it is not just South Africa,” Latsha said. “It’s a great injustice that period poverty is something we still need to address.

“I lended my voice to the cause, my time and effort and energy to it through the MENstruation foundation who are doing phenomenal work in South Africa. I am very proud to say that we have opened our own sanitary pad factory which we believe is a sustainable and long term solution to end period poverty.

“Initially they approached me. I immediately fell in love with the idea of fighting period poverty because I am a woman who was once a girl who knows what it is like to be without sanitary products. That spoke to me.

“When girls don’t have sanitary products they end up not attending school anymore, missing out on sports and very important school days. That inadvertently puts them on the backfoot. So it’s not just a menstrual issue, it then becomes an education issue and affects the home life.

“By solving one problem we are solving so many other problems. In South Africa condoms are free but period products are not. You can choose to have sex but you cannot choose whether you have a period. That has never made sense to me. It is an injustice that I think in the near future we are going to solve.”