Thuto Rantso (19) and Crystal Francis (18) are two trailblazing young women who are joining the UXi International Rugby Institutes as the first female rugby players. At the Griquas Rugby Institute (GRI) in Kimberley, they are presently honing their rugby abilities. Both Rantso and Francis have already made a name for themselves on the local rugby scene, and their attendance at the UXi Rugby Institutes is a big step forward for female athletes in a sport that has historically been dominated by men. Young girls are being motivated by their accomplishments to pursue their passion for rugby and overcome barriers.
Thuto Rantso, a native of Odendaalsrus, started playing rugby at age 13 after achieving success in netball. Rantso’s dedication remained unwavering in the face of difficulties despite being the only female player on the field. In 2019, she went on to start a girls’ rugby team with the goal of overcoming obstacles and playing professionally.
Crystal Francis, a Kimberley native who fell in love with rugby at the age of 17, has displayed incredible versatility as a winger, centre, flanker, and lock. She became passionate about rugby after a chance encounter with the South African women’s team, and she aspires to play for the Springbok rugby team.
The GRI, run by UXi Sport, offers academic and life skills training in addition to a high-performance rugby development program. Their male counterparts have practised and improved their skills alongside Rantso and Francis with unwavering support. Future generations of female athletes will be inspired by this chance to defy expectations and succeed in their respective fields. The GRI provides a setting for holistic development by fusing rugby instruction with academic certifications and life skills training.
Rantso and Francis are paving the way for women in rugby as the first female participants in the UXi Rugby Institutes. Their stories serve as inspiration for adversity, excellence, and empowerment.
Read the full article on News24 by Helena Barnard here.
