National coaching gig for former Bok Noxeke

Having paid her dues,  former Springboks centre Zolisa Noxeke has been appointed as the SA U20 women’s backline coach. 

Noxeke, who was played in the 2006 Women’s Rugby World Cup, has always been within the structures of SA Rugby having recently spent time overseeing Border Youth Training Centre programme.

As one of the Border YTC coaches she travelled the Border region identifying young girls and conducting coaching clinics in the U15, U16 and U18 age groups.

On top of her rugby work, she has a netball club, the Spiders, who have players in the two provincial netball teams EC Aloes and EC Comets.

Noxeke’s appointment,  which was confirmed at the start of the week, comes as a full circle moment for the youth coach.

Affectionately known as “Zumpi”, Noxeke is thrilled about joining the Springboks U20 women set-up.

“I’m very excited, I’ve been waiting for this, I had to be patient and keep on doing my job,”  Noxeke said.

“I will try my best at all times, I’m not perfect because as a coach you can never know everything, you have to keep learning.

“I’m still learning, I will learn more where I’m going at the Springboks, I’ll be meeting with coaches from different provinces.

“I hope children from Border will get opportunities, not because I’m there, but because they have talent, they have to show they deserve to be there,” she said.

In her journey around the Border region, Noxeke has seen the challenges they face first hand.

The cracks in resources for the girls in the Border region, mean they are on the back foot.

Their natural ability is not nurtured in the correct manner and Noxeke shared some of the struggles the girls face and what coaches encounter.

“First of all the fields are not up to a good standard. Then they don’t have boots, especially the kids who stay in the country areas.

“The schools and clubs don’t have resources; they have no balls, tackle bags, contact shields, they only get exposed to those things when they’re in the Border camp.

“Another is transportation, and accommodation. With the budget cuts due to Covid, it’s been difficult.

“We often want the children on the field and their teachers want them in their classes,”  Noxeke said.

For the sake of the standard of rugby in the development structures, Border are introducing coaching courses for women.

In the past weeks, Border’s co-ordinator Mandisa Williams has been conducting workshops.

Noxeke has encouraged women to join in the coaching classes, urging those who haven’t played rugby and those who have retired from the sport to take part.

“We want women to be on board, even if you didn’t play rugby, people can learn. We want those who have played but have hung up their boots.

“They must not sit on their talent, they must come and help the girls,” she said.  

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