Augousti is currently at Eunice Girls’ School in Bloemfontein and has been the star performer for the school during the past season which has been one of their best to date.

Augousti is just one of four uncapped players in the SA Performance Squad with the other being Kayla Swarts – who is a Eunice old girl – while, the others are Ntsopa Mokoena and Jess Lardant.

Augousti told OFM Sport that she is excited about her journey and she knows she still has a long way to go in her career.

“I am excited and nervous at the same time,” said Augousti.

“It has always been my ambition to represent South Africa at a senior international level. I'm also very grateful to my coaches, teammates, family, and friends for all their support, time, and effort that they have put in.

“I'm aware that I still have a lot to learn and I want to use this opportunity to learn from the South African coaches as well as my new teammates. For me, the hard work starts now, but I am up for the challenge.”

The national women’s coach, Giles Bonnet, agreed that there is something very special about the talented Augousti and the goal is to have these players seasoned for the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles, California.

“Agreed she is a very exciting prospect,” Bonnet told OFM Sport.

“We have a long-term strategy of identifying players who can play a performance role in LA28. In the next 24 months, we wish to assist players like Taheera to fast-track their development through a managed involvement in our professional environment.

“It’s important to share that we have five under-19 players in our squad and Taheera is one of these five high potentials.”

Another Eunice old girl, Chemelda Ontong, was named in the SA Emerging squad along with Shindré-Lee Simmons.

Morgan Piek/OFM Sport