Zintle Mpupha 'positive' about South Africa's Valladolid preparation

Experienced Zintle Mpupha believed that the Springbok Women’s Sevens can enjoy a positive HSBC SVNS World Championship stop in Valladolid.

The 32-year-old will captain Cecil Afrika’s team this week in Spain in the penultimate stop of their season. Having started this term in HSBC SVNS 3, South Africa know they have a lot of work to do if they want to secure a top eight finish after legs in Valladolid and Bordeaux.

Last time out in Hong Kong, the Boks finished rock bottom. A host of players got their senior debuts for the team, but Asisipho Plaatjies’ ruptured Achilles at Kai Tak Sports Park has lengthened an injury list that already contained the talents of Nadine Roos, Liske Latedan, Simamkele Namba and Shannon-Lee Windvogel.

Mpupha came into Hong Kong fresh from turning out in the Pick n Pay Women’s Super League 1 for the Blue Bulls Daisies. Preparation for the humidity of Hong Kong was limited, which compounded the loss of senior players even further.

“It was tough as we had to blood some youngsters and players like me and Eloise (Webb) were playing in the fifteens code,” Mpupha said.

“This time around though, we are much better prepared, and we will showcase that on the field. We had good time to prepare back home and got stuck into our way of play and game plan and I think we are in a much better position to execute what coach Cecil (Afrika) is expecting from the squad.

“The victory over GB in Hong Kong meant a lot as they were a core team on the HSBC SVNS Series this year and it showed that we can deliver wins over those teams. That is something we took to heart in preparing for this one, where we contest in a tough pool again.”

That sole victory against Great Britain in Hong Kong is what gives Mpupha hope. There are even additions in the form of Vianca Boer and Patience Mokone, who add the vibrancy of youth.

Should South Africa wish to make an impact in Valladolid, they will have their work cut out. Named in Pool B with the USA, Australia and Fiji, it is going to be a touch group to progress from, particularly as all three opponents drip with HSBC SVNS Series experience from this season.

“It is a tough pool, as they all played on the circuit, but we give ourselves a chance,” said Mpupha. “Often, it is just the bounce of a rugby ball that determines a result and we will come close I believe.

“We were boosted with Vianca Boer and Patience Mokone who are back from their injuries, and as they played in a lot of the tournaments we had leading up to this one, they slotted in easily. And with the extra weeks to prepare, we feel positive about the weekend.”