Three UFH Baby Blues loving the taste of international rugby

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Fort Hare second-rower Sinoyolo Best captained the Rhinos in the international women’s rugby U20 series in Stellenbosch. 

Three Baby Blues players have set themselves up beautifully for a huge future in the game after being selected for a U20 international rugby series in Stellenbosch.

Livewire Fort Hare scrumhalf Sindisiwe Mbonja made her debut for the Junior Springboks in a hard-fought 26-17 victory over Tunisia last Monday, while midfield specialist Lilitha Vakalisa has been called up for a second consecutive year.

Fort Hare lock Sinoyolo Best, meanwhile, captained the Rhinos, a team comprising players from South Africa, Wales and Dubai.

The Baby Blues came up against one another last Friday when the Boks and Rhinos took to the turf.

Mbonja was one of the players of the tournament for UFH in their inaugural Varsity Cup triumph earlier this year.

While her name had been put forward for Bok selection last year, she failed to make the final cut. But one always sensed it was only a matter of time before she forced her way in.

Running out in the green and gold had been a moment to savour, even if a wet Cape Winelands made playing conditions difficult.

I'm not doing this (playing rugby) just for me, but my country as well. It feels really great,” Mbonja, who believed she had performed at her best in the soggy conditions, said.

The Tunisians proved to be tough opponents, matching the strength of the South Africans, she said.

She found the mood in the Bok camp to be “chilled and friendly”, even among the coaches. This made it easy to get to know one another, she said.

Vakalisa did not play in the series opener but was expected to be part of the match-day squad on Friday.

She admitted that she had not been firing on all cylinders this season but had found a way to work through her mistakes to catch the eye of the selectors.

“I was not always at my best during the Varsity Cup and national U20 trials, so I’m really grateful for this opportunity.”

Mbonja, too, praised the coaching staff for creating an excellent team environment and for their patience with the players.

Best, who scored a brace of five-pointers, had a truly memorable debut as Rhinos skipper when they trounced a South African Barbarians outfit 86-10.

The 20-year-old was chosen for the team after a good showing at the SA U20 week where she ran out for Border.

When the squad assembled in the student town, she was put in charge of the forward pack. The team’s brain trust then asked the players to suggest four individuals they believed should captain the side.

“This happened to me,” the inspirational second-rower said.

“It’s a beautiful experience and I’m enjoying working with individuals from different parts of the world.”