On the 23rd of June, a significant event took place at the Hollywoodbets Kings Park Stadium in Durban, South Africa, marking a step towards a brighter future for women’s rugby. The Durban Sharks, a professional rugby union team, hosted its first official capping ceremony for girls on the Sharks’ under 16 (U16) and under 18 (U18) provincial teams. A total of 46 athletes from various schools across the KwaZulu-Natal (KZN) province were capped during the ceremony, signifying their selection to represent the teams in the upcoming South Africa Rugby Girls Week tournament.
For many of the young athletes, the recognition in a male-dominated sport like rugby holds great significance. Akniwe Msomi, a flyhalf for Mowat Park High School, expressed her desire for girls’ talents to be acknowledged, as female sports often do not receive the same level of recognition as male sports. The capping ceremony, a tradition in rugby, symbolizes the value and importance of their contributions to the sport, as highlighted by Xolandi Mthiyane, a parent in attendance.
Despite the prevailing notion that rugby is too rough for women, the capping ceremony served as a turning point, challenging such stereotypes. Wandile Khumalo, a trans man and coach of the U16 team, emphasized the importance of equality in the sport, drawing from his experience playing for the South African National team. His advocacy for equal opportunities in rugby aligns with the message conveyed by the professional players present at the ceremony. South African women rugby stars such as Mary Zulu, Setty Dlamini, Nomonde Mbanjwa, and Phatheka Dzanibe shared words of encouragement with the young athletes, urging them to dream big and pay it forward to the next generation of players.
The significance of this opportunity to compete at the provincial level was not lost on the capped athletes. Risima Koza, a student at Mowat Park High School and former member of the U16 team, expressed her motivation to pave the way for future players in women’s rugby. The ceremony also provided the athletes with a chance to hone their skills and build team chemistry during practice, emphasizing the importance of collective effort in achieving greatness.
The event concluded with a sense of optimism and determination for the future of girls’ rugby in South Africa. The newly capped team members left the stadium with a renewed sense of purpose and commitment. As Akniwe Msomi aptly put it, “There is a future for girls’ rugby,” a sentiment echoed by the collective aspirations of the young athletes who are poised to leave their mark on the sport.