With nine uncapped players in the squad, the anticipation amongst the Springbok Women was palpable as they departed Cape Town for Nairobi, where they will defend their Rugby Africa Women’s Cup title, earlier on Wednesday.
A halfway stop at Victoria Falls airport will add to the continental flavour for those participating in their first African tournament this weekend, where the Springbok Women will face Madagascar in their first of three matches in Kenya.
Although Alichia Arries is one of the more experienced travellers in the squad, because she played for the Springbok Women’s Sevens in HSBC SVNS tournaments in Toulouse, Vancouver, Los Angeles and Hong Kong, a Kenyan reunion of sorts awaits for the South African speedster, who will don the Springbok Women jersey for the first time since 2021.
Back then, she represented the Springbok Women against Kenya, with the 18-year-old playing on the wing in both Tests at the Danie Craven Stadium in Stellenbosch, two months before sitting for her matric exams.
“Yes, it started against Kenya and now, I resume my international career in Kenya, so it is a nice way to complete the circle,” said Arries just before the team boarded their flight into the heart of the African continent.
“I think the big difference between that time representing my country and this time around is life experience and understanding what it means to play for your country and your family.”
In between her first test cap and sevens stops across the globe came the birth of her daughter, something that Arries, who turned 24 earlier this month, feels has given her a real purpose while on the field.
“It is also that knowledge that you represent your country, but also your family that helped you back to the fast lane of rugby after injuries curtailed my progress,” she said.
'TEAM COMES FIRST'
Arries was playing club rugby for Van der Stel/Evergreens when the desire and belief came back.
“We were invited to the Betway Women’s Club Championship, I was named in the Dream Team afterwards and then called into a Springbok Women alignment camp, which made me realise again that I can get back to top flight rugby,” she said.
“When the Pick n Pay Women’s Super League started, I was ready to again show everyone what I am capable of and after a good season with Western Province, I was invited back to the national camp.”
A month and a bit later, Arries is on her first trip abroad as an international fifteens player.
“We have a good squad – the experienced players showed their mettle at the Women’s World Cup, while the uncapped players showcased their talents in the domestic league, where I played with and against them,” she said.
“There will be a good competition amongst this group to establish yourself in the squad that will face top class international opponents this year and I am very motivated to be amongst them.
“That aside, we will need to make sure the team comes first and that we deliver the results we are capable of and trained for.”
For a potential match-up against Madagscar in their tournament opener, Arries believes there will be a similar approach from the island team in the way they play sevens: “I have faced them in sevens and they have a ball in hand all the time approach. I am not expecting anything else, they will move the ball around no doubt.”
The match starts at 1pm SA time on Saturday, and will be broadcast live on Rugbypass.