There are mixed emotions for Aseza Hele, as the Springbok Women No 8 gears up with the rest of the squad to face Japan at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Friday, in what will be the opening match of the 2024 version of WXV 2.
During the inaugural tournament, also played in South Africa in 2023, she was red carded against Italy after a head clash in a tackle and for Hele that was bittersweet, as she missed out on more opportunities to play in front of home crowds.
“Yes, we all know what happened and no one can change that, so I am rather focusing on the positives of this year's tournament and our match against Japan," Hele said after the team completed their preparations for the test.
The two sides met twice in 2022, with each claiming a victory, and their clash on Friday will be their first encounter on home soil for the Springbok Women.
Hele, who played in both those tests two years ago, is adamant that their need to showcase their talents in the tournament opener.
“We did some good things against the Baabaas and Spain, but this is a much bigger stage and for us to establish ourselves among the top teams in the world, good performances in the next three weeks will be vital,” she said.
“We cannot say people are not giving women's rugby enough attention but then don't deliver the results when they do show up.
“We want people to come and watch us play and would love nothing more, but we realise we can’t take that for granted. We need to back up that support with results and that starts against Japan.”
The hard running No 8 has the benefit of a powerful pack to launch attacks from and that makes her job so much easier, Hele said.
“Yes, our forwards do wonderful work and create opportunities for the rest of the squad,” she said. “That is why I am so excited to play this weekend, we are really focused on doing well and play to our strengths.
“Japan will be a very tough opponent, they are fast, skillful and very structured in their play, but we are not going to focus on them too much, but rather on ourselves and doing the right things in the right areas of the field.”
Hele, who played for Harlequins Women in their Allianz Premiership campaign, said the feedback from teammates who were involved in last year's WXV was very positive.
“The players loved it and why not, South Africa is such a beautiful country and we are very friendly people,” she smiled.
“But when the tournament starts, we will try to make it as uncomfortable as possible for them on the field, but that will be it.
“WXV really gives us a great opportunity to become a better team. We have big dreams and goals and those will be tested and put in perspective here. We understand the need for good results, not only with our progress, but on the scoreboard too. We must deliver to our fans and supporters too and that starts tomorrow.”