SOUTH Africa Women’s rugby captain Babalwa Latsha has been impressed by Fiji’s deep-rooted rugby culture after witnessing the Vodafone Fiji Secondary School Rugby Championship over the past two weeks.
Latsha, who led the South African side to a 29-22 victory over the Vodafone Fijiana XV at Churchill Park on Saturday, said the passion for rugby among young Fijians was unlike anything she had experienced.
“Oh my goodness, my thoughts are that rugby in this country is contagious.
“You drive past on the buses and you see kids playing in the fields, and it’s a culture, it’s a spiritual thing, that’s what I’ve got from it,” Latsha said.
“And what better way as a nation to invest in the sport than to invest at grassroots level, right?
“Just let kids play as much as possible. It’s brilliant to see, and I can’t wait to see what Fijian rugby will look like in the next five to 10 years.”
Latsha said the experience had also given the South African team an appreciation of the warmth and hospitality of the Fijian people.
She said the similarities between the two nations’ cultures were evident throughout their stay.
South Africa’s victory secured the inaugural Ubuntu-Bula Trophy after the visitors also won the opening Test, giving them a 2-0 series sweep over the Fijiana XV.
