Bodalla’s Farann Mathie knows the feeling more than most, having triumphed with the Australian Under 21s Polocrosse team in Port Elizabeth last month.

It was not the first time she had travelled to the country for the sport, representing Australia at an under 16s level six years ago.

She said her previous experience playing in the country didn’t count for much this time around.

“We were playing against a completely different team and we went over knowing that our opponents were probably the best in the world,” she said.

“We really wanted to beat them and show them what we had.”

After arriving on the weekend of July 9, the Australian team attended a horse draw before having an hour per day from Monday to Thursday to prepare the horses for the the first match on the Friday.

They ended up going down 28-15 to the home side in the opening game before bouncing back on the Saturday to triumph 29-17 and level the series.

Sunday’s final was an enthralling battle, with Australia eventually proving too good and securing a 30-22 victory.

Polocrosse is played with three players from each team on the field at once, meaning there is an interchange player.

Farann was kept busy throughout the games as she fulfilled more than one role within her side.

“I played all four chuckas every game, which meant I didn’t get a break,” she said.

“In the first game, I rode three different horses, so that was pretty challenging.

“I rode two in the second and in the third, I rode the one I had clicked with the most.

“It was good to know that I’m able to adapt at that level if a need to.”

Farann’s hard work throughout the tournament was rewarded, as she received the Bomber’s Key player of the series award. 

It was yet another strong showing from Farann, who continues to impress at the top level.

In two weeks, she will head to Warwick in Queensland to play in an Australian opens team.

The side will play against another Australian, with the game acting as a qualifier for next year’s South African test series to be held in Australia.

She can’t wait for another opportunity to play amongst the best in the country.

“It would be great to play another test series, but I’m happy just to have made it this far,” she said.

“My cousin will be playing on the other Australian team so it will be fun to face her.”