Cape Town - A new Springbok has emerged from Elsies River and recently selected to join the Springbok Women's Junior U20 Rugby Team as a Number 6.
Kelly McKenna, 19, only started playing rugby last year but has already made the Western Province U20 team and now the junior Boks.
She said that her love for rugby started in Grade 12 at JG Meiring High School however the school did not have a women's rugby team.
In 2023 she joined the Elsies River Women's Rugby Football Club.
“When I started out in rugby last year I didn't even know how to pass the ball but what I learned at club rugby was the building blocks because I felt like I had to catch up with all the girls who played.
“I did not even know that rugby for women existed.”
She said that her coach at the Elsies River Rugby Club, Morne Moses sent her and a few girls for WP trials and after making the team and playing two games with the WP team in Johannesburg, she suffered an injury and was out for the third game.
“I thought there goes my chances for the Springbok Under-20 selection but I did not know that I was already selected in the first game.
“I got the news on 25 September that I made the Boks team and made my debut on 1 October against Tunisia.”
“It still feels unreal. The dream is to make the senior team and maybe play overseas. I worked hard to get to where I am today.”
Raised by a single mother, proud mom Vanessa McKenna said: “I am extremely proud of Kelly.
“When the news came it was just confirmation because she told me she was going to wear her green and gold jersey.
“She has not been playing long so it is an awesome achievement and speaks to her dedication and commitment to the sport.”
Laurian Johannes-Haupt from the Springbok Women's team added: “Kelly has an exceptional work ethic and all coaches want to see that, they want to see girls out in the extra time to perfect their craft and she is a good player to have in the system.”
“It is really important for young women in sport to get opportunities to showcase their talents and have it recognised because they can encourage and motivate the next generation of players and in turn we grow the sport.”