Girls and women lead revival at Rocklands RFC

Whether slicing through the backline with the ball in hand or kicking for goal on the soccer pitch, Rocklands RFC under-18 girls’ team captain, Tyra Martheze, 17, simply loves to play ball. The utility back was part of the squad that cruised to a 36–0 win over Rangers, in a pre-season friendly, in Claremont, at the weekend.

Introduced to the game by a friend just over a year ago, Tyra, a matriculant at Glendale High, swapped her soccer boots for rugby studs, making it look effortless and proving she’s just as comfortable launching an attack as she is finishing one. Once the ball is in her hands or at her feet, she’s ready to run with it — no matter the code.

“Sunday was amazing, it was a great opportunity to play against Rangers compared to last year when they beat us 15-12,” she said. 

“As a team, we grew so much; we played as one. Our coaches believed we could do things; they saw potential in us that we never knew we had. Most of all, it was so much fun as it was our first game for the year,” she said.

Balancing schoolwork, taking extra classes, training, and managing one’s social life can be a challenge for a busy teen, but, says Tyra, she copes better once she’s had her daily dose of training with her mates.

“I never knew I would fall in love with this sport and become good at it, so try it out,” she said, encouraging other youngsters to give it a shot.

“Rugby is a male-dominated sport, and it can be dangerous, but every sport can be dangerous,” she said. 

“There will be times where you might feel like you didn't do your best, you might fail 99 times, but what if you succeed on your 100th time?” 

Building on that mindset is former SA under-20 women’s player Leandi Smith, senior women’s club captain and junior head coach at Rocklands RFC. Smith,  a once promising player with a career cut short due to injury, is also the Mitchell's Plain Hub co-ordinator for Western Province Rugby Football Union (WPRFU). 

Smith is the link between players and management, should they wish to raise concerns. She’s made it her mission to help the next generation, boys and girls, believe in themselves long enough to reach that hundredth opportunity.

“Our long-term plan is to build a clear, sustainable pathway from junior rugby through to senior women’s rugby,” said Smith.

“The women’s and girls’ sections are not treated as separate from the club but as an integral part of the club’s identity and future. This means focusing on grassroots participation, quality coaching at youth level, and retention of players as they progress through age groups,” she said.

“The women’s and girls’ sections are not treated as separate from the club but as an integral part of the club’s identity and future,” she said.  This aligns with the club’s overall strategy of growing participation, strengthening community involvement, and producing confident, well-rounded players who embody our club values.

Gavin Adams, co-ordinator of women’s rugby at Rocklands RFC, got involved with the club when his daughter Megan joined the club, and he was roped in to assist with management.

He said the club is currently in a rebuilding stage with a special focus on junior development.

“Before Covid hit our shores, we had a women’s team and due to the pandemic, the women’s section disappeared, and even the junior structure was left behind,” he said.

In line with WPRFU directives, he said, women’s rugby was revived at Rockland in late 2024. The club has approximately 30 registered players, aged between 18 and 35, and would like more players to join.

“We would like to build a First and Second Team for senior women, a full under-20 women’s team and build on a unified girls team from the entire Mitchell's Plain,” he said.

“Our mission is to deliver as much talent as possible to WP Women's Rugby,” he said.

“However, our biggest concern is securing sponsorship and funding for our youth girls and senior women. As a community-based club, we are struggling with transport costs, to and from training,” he said.

Like Adams, his wife, Marilyn, the club’s senior women’s team manager, also started as their daughter’s fan before being pulled in to assist with day-to-day operations.

“Encouraging girls to play rugby is important as it promotes confidence, discipline, teamwork, and both physical and mental resilience,” she said.

“The long-term development plan for the women’s and girls’ sections focuses on sustainability, growth, and progression,” she said. “This plan aligns with the overall club strategy by promoting inclusivity, strengthening club culture, and building depth across all teams,” she said.

• Senior training sessions are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays, from 6.30pm to 8.30pm. Juniors train on Wednesdays and Fridays, from 3pm to 5pm. New players and coaches are welcome to join. Registration for players joining from other clubs closes on Saturday, February 14, as mandated by WPRFU. For more information, email rfcrocklands@gmail.com or call 083 563 7764 or 073 387 3753.
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