From Eastern Cape To England: Zintle Mpupha’s Road To The Rugby World Cup

In a sport defined by power and precision, Zintle Mpupha is rewriting the rules - not with noise, but with presence. On the eve of the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup in England, all eyes are on her: a leader, a disruptor, and a driving force within the Springbok Women’s Sevens and Fifteens squads.

But for Zintle, it’s never just been about the accolades or match-day highlights. Her journey from national cricketer to rugby stalwart is one of audacity - proof that South African women can and will forge their own paths, even if the system wasn’t built for them.

Now, she stands not only as a key player in the squad, but as a symbol of something larger, the evolution of women’s sport in South Africa. And in the high-performance environment of World Cup preparation, there’s no room for shortcuts.

Her routine is rigorous: strength sessions at sunrise, tactical drills under unforgiving African skies, and recovery that mirrors international best practice. But what sets her apart is not just talent - it’s the commitment to the everyday choices that build elite athletes from the inside out.

Hydration is one of them.

Training in extreme conditions and balancing dual codes requires more than instinct; it demands strategy. Staying hydrated isn’t an afterthought - it’s part of the performance plan. And it’s here, in the quieter moments of recovery and refuelling, where Zintle finds her rhythm.

As she gears up for the global stage, her choices off the field are simple, clean and conscious,  which is why PURA Hydration is a consistent part of her game-day prep and recovery.

Made with no added sugar, infused with electrolytes, and designed for performance without the artificial extras, PURA offers hydration that’s as smart and grounded as the athletes it supports. It’s not about trends, it’s about trusting what works.

Because at this level, every sip matters.

As Zintle prepares to represent South Africa in one of the biggest tournaments of her career, she carries more than just a jersey. She carries the weight of a movement - for visibility, for change, for every girl who dared to dream.

This is more than rugby.
It’s resilience.
It’s legacy.
It’s leading with purpose - and rising, one sip at a time.

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