If someone had asked Tracey Mthunzi at the start of last year whether she thinks she would ever captain a national rugby team, her answer would have been no.
But things changed. In 17 days, the former Tuks netball player is off to France to captain the South African women’s student team at the World University Sevens Championships. 20 teams are competing.
“It is surreal. I can’t think it is me who will be captaining the team. The biggest mistake I could make is to overthink things. If I do, I might get overwhelmed and don’t want to. I want to walk tall as captain. Embrace the moment. I know I can do it.”
These are no idle words. Two weeks ago, Mthunzi got pretty emotional singing the national anthem during her graduation ceremony at Tuks.
“I realised the next time I would do so, I would be in France as captain. I might cry because it will be a momentous occasion for me as a rugby player.”
When asked what she considers her best traits as a sevens player and captain, Mthunzi said, “I am the player that always goes after the ‘lost cause’. If an opponent breaks through during a game, I will give chase. I don’t give up. If it means I have to run from our 22-metre line to the opposite try line, so be it. All that matters is to stop the opponent from scoring. I have been complimented for my on-field work rate.
“I am also bringing a lot of energy to the field. During a game, I am continuously encouraging teammates to step up. It means throughout any game, you will hear my voice.”
Mthunzi was a passionate netball player representing Tuks at the USSA and Varsity Tournaments. She also played for the Jaguars. At the beginning of last year, she decided it was time for a new challenge.
“I had to make a few mindset changes going from netball to rugby. The only thing seemingly the same in netball and sevens rugby is the number of players on the field. Both require seven.
“The biggest thing was to get used to the amount of running. In netball, there is never really a moment in which you stand still. So, I thought it would be a breeze to run the length of a rugby field. The first time I tried, I got a rude awakening. The 22-metre line was much further than I imagined.”
Mthunzi quickly got to realise that rugby is not a sport for sissies. Playing against a team from England last year, she got so severely concussed in a tackle. She only woke up in the hospital.
“I remember breaking through the defence line and thought I would score my first try. Then, from nowhere, a player popped up and tackled me. Afterwards, I watched a video of the game. While I was down, you could see that I was trying to get back up. But then I went limp. It was lights out for me.”
The incident did not deter her in any way. The opposite, in fact, happened. She got more motivated.
“I hope to continue playing as long as my body allows me. Rugby has so many opportunities. You will make it if you are willing and prepared to work hard.”