LEE KHOTLELE
The players, who have been part of the national squad for numerous years, have represented the country in various tournaments for the past three years.
Last year, at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) individual events held in Mauritius, De Villiers and Le Grange carried the women’s national team through every match, with De Villiers winning the deciding match in the final against Nigeria.
De Villiers and Le Grange also won the doubles title at the Mauritius International, which was held in the week after the AFCON. This was the first international title for both of them.
“They’ve always been involved in South Africa’s teams playing in the tournament all over the country and the continent (at the African Games as well) as well,” University of the Free State Sport Officer, Janine de Kock, told Courant.
De Kock says the university is happy to have two of their students in the national team, adding that it was a reward for their hard work.
“They’ve been working hard individually, and with the Free State Badminton as well, especially during the last 6 to 12 months to get them on the level that allows them to participate internationally, so we’re proud of them,” De Kock concluded.
