At the age of 22, life was good for Lerato Makua. In 2023, she had established herself in the Springbok Women squad, playing in 10 tests and two friendlies and representing South Africa in Wales, England, Japan, New Zealand and Madagascar, and later France.
Her athletic abilities and natural speed had caught the eye of the then Springbok Women’s Sevens coach Paul Delport, and an appearance at the HSBC SVNS tournament in Toulouse complimented the performances Makua was delivering as a rising star.
In fact, when she returned from Madagascar after her 10th test, Makua’s growing reputation meant a professional contract at the Bulls Daisies. She was ready for whatever was coming.
But a knee injury stopped that momentum and then there was another hiccup during her recovery, but now, 18 months later, a wiser and more determined Makua is heading back to Madagascar, knowing full well what a successful Rugby Africa Women's Cup campaign can do for her future ambitions, like playing in the Rugby World Cup in England in August and September.
“Having played against Fiji and England in New Zealand in the last World Cup, I set my mind to be in the best shape possible for the next one, not knowing that I would be out of rugby for a year and a half,” Makua said after yet another fast-paced training session at Redhill School in Sandton, where the Springbok Women are preparing before departing to Madagascar on Wednesday.
“I am just so happy to be back. I love playing for my country and this is such a great opportunity for me to show that I am fit and ready for another Rugby World Cup.
“It is not about impressing the coaches, although that will be part of everyone's thinking, but playing international rugby again. I was kicking my heels long enough, now it is time to play,” added Makua, who made a successful return to the game in the Women's Premier Division this year.
KEEN TO PLAY AT STADE MAKIS AGAIN
She is very keen to run out at Stade Makis again. “The crowds are amazing and the support for their home team is just off the charts. For us as players, not used to play in front of 15 000 fans, it is a real experience, and I cannot wait to feel that energy again. It is actually the ideal place to make a return to test rugby for me.
“But it is not about me, it is about us as a team and what we are travelling to Madagascar for and that is to win. We are defending champions, and we want to bring the trophy home again. We are not arrogant by saying that, just very determined.”
Makua is among eight players who participated in the 2022 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand and according to Bok Women assistant coach Franzel September, her selection in the squad is an indication of how important they see the African showdown in Madagascar.
“It has been part of our planning all along to take a squad over that can not only successful retain the African crown, but also one that will provide valuable game time to the likes of Lerato, while also blooding the next generation, hence the inclusion of a handful from U20 players from last year’s Junior Springbok Women crop,” he said, stressing the importance of alignment in the group and dispelling any fears that players would be out to impress coaches by showcasing individual skills.
“We need to play as a team, a theme we have worked on over the last year or so. There might be some fresh faces in this squad, but this trip is all about the Rugby World Cup and those outcomes.
“The players have trained well so far, and we are on track with our preparations. You want the likes of Lerato to have a full go, but this is also a good opportunity for her to understand our way of play and her role in that.”
Meanwhile, Bulls Daisies loose forward Ziyanda Ngohlekana was called into the squad to replace the injured Bronishia Hess, who picked up an ankle injury, handing Ngohlekana, a former soldier, another opportunity to play for South Africa.
The 32-year-old made her international debut for the Springbok Women in 2021 and earned her two caps, against Kenya and France. She started in all but one of the Daisies’ matches this season.