University of the Western Cape (UWC) alumna and Springbok Women Captain Babalwa Latsha’s impressive contribution to global women's rugby, on and off the field, is growing in leaps and bounds.

Latsha, a LLB graduate from UWC, was recently named as one of 11 members on Rugby Africa’s Sub-Committee for Player Welfare & Participation, which falls under the organisation’s broader Women’s Rugby Advisory Committee (WRAC). The newly created WRAC has a governance and leadership purpose to advise all Rugby Africa committees on positive gender inclusion practices with a focus on women’s rugby.

Latsha’s latest achievement follows a rewarding 2020 season off the field in which she was named one of 10 Springbok Women’s Unstoppables and 12 Rugby Africa Unstoppables in line with World Rugby’s ‘Try and Stop Us’ women’s rugby campaign. The World Rugby campaign was launched in 2019 with the objective of lifting the profile of women’s rugby, and attracting new fans, players and investors to the game.

According to a statement by the South African Rugby Union, Latsha’s role on the sub-committee will involve offering guidance and suggestions in the vital areas of women’s rugby development and player welfare.

Latsha, who joined Spanish side SD Eiber Femenino last year to become the first woman rugby player on the African continent to sign a professional contract in the 15s, was delighted by her appointment. “It means a great deal to me to be able to contribute to the growth and development of women’s rugby on our continent,” Latsha said in the SA Rugby statement.

“I am massively honoured that I have that privilege, so that we as a collective may have an impact and effect some genuine positive changes within the women’s rugby landscape in Africa. This role is one that I embrace fully and I’m seriously grateful for it. I’m very much proud of the fact that I’m part of the bigger picture - that we are not just players but people of real impact within the sport we hold dear to our hearts”.