Springbok women’s rugby captain, Babalwa Latsha says she hopes more South African women’s rugby player will get a chance to “venture out” after becoming the first South African woman to sign a professional rugby contract with a club in Spain.
Metro FM sports anchor, Lebo Motsoeli, broke the news on twitter, and expressed her delight, calling Latsha an inspiration.
The first woman rugby player from SOUTH AFRICA guys!!!
My day is made I tell you. Thank you @BabalwaLatsha for truly being such an inspiration. Looking forward to a successful journey in Spain. @WomenBoks
— LEBOHANG MADUBANYA (@Lebo_Madubanya) December 24, 2019
Latsha, who has always dreamt of taking her game global, will join Eibar Rugby for the 2019/2020 season. She leaves South Africa on 7 January 2020.
Speaking to gsport shortly after news broke on social media, Latsha said: “ I am so excited, I am shaking… This is a phenomenal thing for my career and for South African women’s rugby as a whole. I think that it is high time that we broke boundaries and ventured out.
“I am extremely excited to be the first South African to do this ( play in Spain) and I am hoping that more and more South African female rugby players will be getting opportunities to go overseas. I am ready! It is something I have been dreaming about for a long time.”
The inspirational Springbok women’s rugby captain has had a great year, which included leading the Springbok women’s rugby team to qualification for the 2021 IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup.
Photo 1 Caption: Springbok women’s rugby captain Babalwa Latsha calls for more global opportunities for South African women’s rugby players, after becoming the first-ever South African woman to sign a professional rugby contract with a club in Spain. Latsha is pictured in conversation with gsport for an upcoming feature. Photo: gsport