Zintle Mpupha, a player of the country’s women’s rugby sevens team, has urged the team to play without fear in the first leg of the HSBC SVNS World Championship.
Imbokodo will take part in the tournament which will be played in Hong Kong from Friday to Sunday.
Mpupha is one of the two experienced players to return, along with Eloise Webb, as coach Cecil Afrika was forced to replace the team that played in the last HSBC SVNS 2 tournament in Brazil due to player injuries.
Jané Mulder and Owami Mohuli have been named in the team that will go to Hong Kong.
Shanidiné Bezuidenhout and Maceala Samboya will be playing for the first time in the top division.
Mbokodo will open in a difficult group where they will face Australia, Canada and Great Britain in Pool B.
However, Mpupha believes that the team has come together and that the past is in the second stage will make it ready for this big competition.
“Our aim this season was to see ourselves in this competition. Unfortunately, there are players who would have liked to be part of this final stage who will not play due to injuries. That is why we have to represent them at the weekend,” said Mpupha.
“As a player who has played in major tournaments, the message I send to young players is that we should continue to do what we do with confidence, play the game we love, and represent our country in the right way. Coach Cecil (Africa) has good plans for us and if we do well, we will be able to surprise a few teams.”
Mbokodo will open against Australia on Friday at 06.25 am and then face Canada at 09.12 am. It will then play the last group game against Great Britain on Saturday at 05.04 in the morning.
The Hong Kong tournament will be followed by one in Valladolid, Spain, next month, and another in Bordeaux, France, in June.
The squad that will play in Hong Kong: Asisipho Plaatjies, Zintle Mpupha, Maria Tshiremba, Byrhandré Dolf, Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Shanidiné Bezuidenhout, Catha Jacobs, Jané Mulder, Owami Mohuli, Ayanda Malinga, Lerato Makua, Maceala Samboya, Eloise Webb.