Madibaz rugby stars Charlize Jacobs and Dembe Mbengeni were all wide-eyed and bushy-tailed when they donned the green-and-gold in an international U20 tournament in Stellenbosch this week.
The two Mandela University students represented the Baby Boks in the R10 Women’s Series featuring the likes of Tunisia, Uganda, a South African Barbarians outfit and the San Clemente Rhinos comprising players from SA, Wales and Dubai.
The Boks rounded off their programme on Tuesday by trouncing Uganda 35-3 after earlier victories over Tunisia and the Rhinos.
Both Jacobs, who is known to dictate play from the scrumhalf position, and Mbengeni, at prop, relished the opportunity.
The former, who hails from Addo in the Eastern Cape, had set herself the goal of achieving national colours and was understandably overjoyed when she got the nod.
“It means a lot, especially for my family, because that’s the level I had set my sights on for this year,” said the nippy halfback. “I knew I just had to be patient.”
The breakthrough for the 20-year-old came in September when she played in front of the national selectors at the SA U20 Women’s Week in Johannesburg.
Jacobs learnt the art of the game in the streets of the Valencia township adjacent to the small citrus town.
Madibaz rugby players Charlize Jacobs (left) and Dembe Mbengeni (right) were selected for the Springbok side who competed in the R10 U20 Women’s Series in Stellenbosch. Photo: Supplied
“When I was younger, I used to play touch rugby in the street with the boys and I began to love the game,” the second-year inventory management student said.
“I even dropped my netball for rugby because rugby is now my life. Without rugby, I’d feel empty.”
She made the most of her natural speed and agility to drive the game for her team but admitted there were several areas that still needed improvement. Most notably, she knew she needed to be more patient and learn to control her nerves better.
Jacobs believed that the difference between the possible and impossible lay in a person’s determination. Apparently one for catchphrases, she recited “patience is a virtue” and “I don’t believe in magic; I believe in hard work” as two that really speak to her.
Mbengeni, who has shown herself to be a pillar of strength in the front row, hails from the Maraxwe village in Limpopo.
Also in the second year of her qualification, the information technology student has swiftly demonstrated a nous for rugby despite having played for less than two years.
“In February last year I saw one of my housemates wearing sporting kit and that’s when I learnt about the opportunities in women’s rugby,” the 20-year-old said of her short path to the top.
She immediately showed an aptitude for managing the challenges that come with the territory in the front row.
“I feel I have become a very good ball carrier with a good work rate in the scrums. But now I am concentrating on improving my speed.”
Like Jacobs, Mbengeni was also grateful for her first chance to wear the iconic Boks tunic.
“I am very lucky to represent my country. It has inspired me.”