Vodacom Blue Bulls - Springbok Women’s star Yolanda Meiring calls it a day
Meiring cited her desire to focus on her career as a teacher at Laerskool Constantiapark in Pretoria as the main reason for her decision, and said with her 30th birthday next month it was the right time to call it a day.
The inspirational player, who has been a key figure in Women’s rugby in the last few years, featured in four Rugby World Cups.
This included the 15-a-side IRB Women’s World Cups in 2006 and 2010, as well as the 2009 and 2013 IRB Rugby World Cup Sevens tournaments.
She also participated in two IRB Nations Cup tournaments, in 2009 and 2011, among other internationals.
“It was not an easy decision, especially since I have been playing rugby for such a long time and I have a deep passion for the game,” said Meiring.
“But age aside, I believe one has to move forward in life and I have a fantastic opportunity to do so in my teaching career. This however will require me to be 100% committed to the cause, and with all the travel in women’s rugby this would not be possible.
“Over and above that my personality is such that if I do something I give everything to be successful. So I believe it is the right time to retire.”
Looking back at her illustrious career, she said: “The Rugby World Cup Sevens in Dubai in 2009 was certainly one of my fondest memories. Our goal was to qualify for the quarter-finals and we surprised ourselves by securing a semi-final berth.
“Unfortunately we went down to Australia, who went on to win the World Cup, but we took a lot of heart from the fact that they beat us in extra time.”
“There will opportunities for young girls to build good careers in the sport going forward, so women’s rugby is on the right track,” said Meiring.
“If one looks at how much effort was put in to our preparation for the World Cup Sevens in Russia last month, which involved the ladies living together as part of a high performance training programme, and the plan going forward I think the ladies could be an Olympic medal hope.”
(0) Springbok Women’s star Yolanda Meiring calls it a day
Ik stm helmal sm mt Roedie!!
Amper vergeet om te sê wat ek van die beserings dink...
Die Bulls is nou lig op haker, dit nadat Callie Visagie reeds 'n "ROOILIG" vir hulle was met sy onvermoeë om akkuraat in te gooi in lynstane en nie genoeg werk doen op verdediging nie. Die Bulls sal nou 'n hasie uit 'n hoed moet trek…
Eina, eina... Ek gril myself elke keer half dood wanneer ek die nuwe generasie se verkorte spelmaniere sien.
My seun het in die begin vir my sulke SMS'e probeer stuur, dan ignoreer ek hom doelbewus tot hy my een dag bel en vra hoekom antwoord ek…
Al wat my bja pla is strauss by die lang termyn beserings nie gedink hy is so erg beseer en met maku yt wie bly oor callie en??? Jj mut vleul speel die naweek sat hy vir eens en altyd kan wys of hy i vleul of senter is!!
Ek wonder wir gaan hulle in Akona se plek vat? Net Bjorn en Travis is oor as vleuels. Miskien vat hulle niemand en speel JJ bietjie vleuel! Alhoewel Jamba het n goeie game gehad Saterdag - miskien vat hulle hom. Matthews was oulik maar ek dink nog te vroeg vir hom.
O hene waar is Bongi nou!
Braam, my seun (14) en sy vriend was ook krapperig oor die ligte-ding. Hulle wou nog bietjie bal skop op die veld, toe word die ligte afgesit.
Ek het navraag gedoen by een van die manne met 'n Bulls-baadjie aan, maar hy het my verseker hulle het geen beheer nie. Die wedstryd is deur die…
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Ulrich Frankryk toe??!! WTF??
'n briljante speller wat te min speelkans gekry het. Hy het vir my net begin vorm kry aan die einde van laasjaar se CC.
Dis jammer van Wiaan, maar hy is ongelukkig net te klein vir 7. Hy het ook begin goed lyk as fetcher en ek is seker met meer…
Wiaan het nie weer 'n kontrak gekry. Hy is Tuks se Varsity Cup kaptein en gaan waarskynlik later in die jaar oorsee . Jammer om hom te verloor - glo met die regte afrigter wat in hom glo kan hy nog ver kom. Sien sy jonger boetie is nou in die groep. Het die regte bou en het ook baie potensiaal wat…