Vainah Ubisi on her journey back to the Springboks: 'Stellenbosch was a nightmare'

Springbok lock forward Vainah Ubisi has revealed that her immense desire to be part of next month’s Rugby World Cup in England was the fuel that fired her towards a comeback against the Black Ferns XV at Athlone Stadium on Saturday.

Ubisi, who has not featured for the Bok Women since last year’s WXV 2 clash at the same venue after rupturing her Anterior Cruciate Ligament (ACL), was included in Performance Coach Swys de Bruin’s starting team yesterday for the historic clash. 

The Bulls Daisies star has spent the intermittent months down in Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (SAS) where she underwent an intensive individual rehabilitation programme. 

“When I got injured last year, that's what was in my mind. If I'm going to make it to the World Cup squad, if I'm going to be back in time,” Ubisi told the media.

“It was not easy being alone, doing rehab alone. It was tough. Stellenbosch was a nightmare for me!

“But as time went on, there was nothing else on my mind than the World Cup. So everything that I was doing, it was just for... I want to be in the World Cup squad.”

The 22-year-old also feels that being close to the rest of the Bok Women’s team also helped her recovery. 

“I actually did my rehab in Stellenbosch.While I was there, the team was coming in and me being around the team, I think that actually eased me a little bit,” she said.

“I'm just grateful that I'm back and I was able to be back in time. I wouldn't have done it without... I should just thank the Lord. It wasn't going to be easy without a prayer.” 

There will be no easing back into the action for Ubisi as she will re-enter the fray against one of the most formidable teams in Women’s rugby. 

The Black Ferns may not have the majority of their world champion team in South Africa, but still boast a host of experienced players aiming to stake one final claim to be part of the WRWC squad set for England. 

Ubisi’s direct competitor Maama Vaipulu certainly fits that category with the abrasive Auckland lock expected to come out firing at Athlone Stadium. 

“It is not going to be an easy game. We know that it's not their first team, but we just shouldn't take that as an advantage,” Ubisi said. 

“We should give our best. Because they're also not going to relax and say we're just training in South Africa. I think we're both going to come hard at it. 

“I think it's just going to be a dog's fight at Athlone Stadium on Saturday night.”

Anathi Qolo, who also returns to the team she captained at the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Madagascar last month, will partner Ubisi in the second row after De Bruin made a raft of changes to the side that face Canada in the last Test against Canada in Gqeberha.

Captain Babalwa Latsha is one of only four starters in the pack that will wear the same jersey again following their Canadian tussle match, while there are also numerous changes to his backline.

The most significant has De Bruin opting to revert Nadine Roos and Eloise Webb to their regular fullback and outside centre positions with Tayla Kinsey and Libbie Janse van Rensburg combining as the halfback pairing instead.

“We've seen now Eloise at 10, she came through nicely.  She prefers 13, so we will still play her there,” De Bruin said.

“But apart from that, you know, the spine, the number is not so important for me if you're 9, 10 or 15, because they're decision makers. 

“And so, for example, for Libby to move from 10 to 15 is nothing. In any case, if she plays 10, she defends at the 15 position. S,  it doesn't really matter.”

Springbok Women’s team

15 Nadine Roos, 14 Jakkie Cilliers, 13 Eloise Webb (vice-captain), 12 Chumisa Qawe, 11 Maceala Samboya, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Tayla Kinsey, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Lerato Makua, 6 Faith Tshauke, 5 Anathi Qolo, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Babalwa Latsha (captain), 2 Micke Gunter, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie. 

Bench: 16 Roseline Botes, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 20 Catha Jacobs, 21 Mary Zulu, 22 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 23 Zintle Mpupha.