Hookers often score a healthy number of tries if their team have a strong maul.
But sometimes, those are regarded as ‘easy’ touchdowns as they are five metres out and just have to fall over from the lineout.
Springbok Women front-rower Micke Günter, though, didn’t have it as straightforward in last Saturday’s WXV 2 clash against Australia.
With just two minutes to go and the South Africans trailing 33-19, they set up a maul about 15m out from the Wallaroos tryline, with Günter ripping the ball from lock Vainah Ubisi.
Normally it would be too far out to go all the way to the tryline, but Günter showcased her ball-retention skills to hold onto possession until she was close enough to dot down.
“The thing about a maul try is that it’s a team try, and it’s a massive effort from everyone,” the Bulls Daisies hooker tried to downplay her involvement in the five-pointer to Independent Newspapers this week.
“Forwards love it, and the hooker gets the reward. But I’m not being modest – it’s super exciting. I’ve waited 10 caps for my first try, and I’ve had a couple of setbacks...
“In my first game, I played for five minutes and got a knee injury. Last year, I played for 25 minutes against Italy and got a concussion. So, it’s always been tough.
“I just trust that it’s my time to be able to be on that pitch and give my everything for the team.”
Günter started playing the sport officially while in matric at Westville Girls High in Durban, initially hoping to make it into the Bok Sevens team.
She was into a number of sports, and achieved KZN provincial colours for soccer, softball and touch rugby, while also enjoying hockey.
But while playing touch rugby, Günter was asked if she would like to consider 15s, and she took up the challenge.
It hasn’t always been a smooth journey, though, as those injuries mentioned above halted her progress.
But she persevered, and as the women’s game has grown exponentially over the last few years, Günter is elated about the opportunities available in SA rugby.
“It’s been a journey. I think we’re on the up. We’ve worked really hard to be where we are today. From me being in the set-up for the last four years, I’ve just seen only growth, and I knew that we would reap the rewards at some point,” she said.
“It gives me goose-bumps... I get emotional because the girls work so hard, and now, people are starting to believe in us. But most importantly, we are starting to believe in ourselves...
“That we belong, and we can do this. A woman can play rugby, and we can play it really well. People believing in us – and it shows in the resources that they are putting into our sport.
“They are starting to prioritise us, and next year going to the World Cup, they knew they need to put in the resources for us to be able to perform.
“Before, it was more ‘Try to perform with what you have’. Now, while we’re performing, we are starting to get more and more, and it can only get bigger from here.
“A permanent coach, competitive side... it’s happening around the globe. Once one team performs, another team looks at that and says ‘Hey, why don’t we put some money into this, and see where the girls can go?’ – and across the globe, the teams are showing up.”
Despite the passionate late fightback, the Bok Women lost 33-26 to Australia, but hope to finish the WXV 2 tournament in fine style by beating Italy at Athlone Stadium on Saturday (2pm start).
They got past Japan 31-24 in their first match, and a second victory over a higher-ranked will only bode well for their development and confidence.
“Last year, their team dynamic, how they knew each other really well on the field – they knew where each other would be,” Günter, who turns 26 later this month, said about last year’s 36-18 defeat to the Italians.
“Their variation on attack, and their line-speed caught us off-guard. We have now implemented a lot more variation on our attack, as well as our defence – a lot more connection on defence. That’s what is going to get us through the game.
“We are going in with a lot of confidence. Last year was a tough loss, with 13 women at one stage. If we had had a couple of moments go our way, we could’ve turned things around, looking back.
“We had two very unfortunate injuries, and a red card! Nothing went our way. There is massive belief now, and this year, we are focusing more on ourselves and that is helping us.”