Springbok prop Latsha lands Harlequins move: 'I'm always trying to improve'

Springbok prop Babalwa Latsha has joined English Premiership club Harlequins until the end of their 2023 season for what will be her second stint playing club rugby abroad.

Latsha joined her new teammates earlier this week, and she plans to return to South Africa in June when the competition concludes.

Harlequins have won seven of their 11 league encounters thus far and are currently fourth on the log.

Latsha will likely face her national teammate Catha Jacobs in the Premiership, where the Springbok lock is plying her trade with Saracens.

Latsha, who plays for Western Province in the SA Rugby Women's Premier Division, has been the first-choice tighthead prop for the national side since her debut against Wales in 2018, and she also captained her country in nine of her 20 Tests so far. 

SA Rugby’s High-Performance Manager for Women’s Rugby, Lynne Cantwell, welcomed the invite from Harlequins and feels Latsha and the Springbok Women will benefit from this experience.

“We all know Babalwa and how keen she is to learn about the game in order to become the best player she can be – she will certainly lap up every opportunity she can,” said Cantwell.

“For her to be in a full-time environment will also be great, as she will experience the life of a full-time professional first hand, even more so at a club with so many international players and that are very well run. 

“She will bring back all that knowledge and we will be able to share that and improve our own systems where necessary. We are also very proud to have her amongst some of the best players in the world, where she will definitely hold her own. 

“In fact, she will no doubt contribute to their effort, being a world class player herself, who has managed to stamp her authority on