Wallaroos centre Georgina Friedrichs admits it’s a ‘nostalgic’ feeling being back in Africa as she reflects on her heritage.
Friedrichs was born in Harare, Zimbabwe before moving to Queensland at the age of eight.
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The 2022 Wallaroos Player of the Year still has family in Africa and was enjoying being in Cape Town and the ‘boerewors’ (A traditional South African homemade sausage).
"My grandmother and auntie are both in Zimbabwe, but my grandmother is a bit too old to travel. My mom and sister might go over to visit them,” Friedrichs told reporters.
“I think it's pretty cool. I get a little nostalgia just by the foods I'm eating. This is what I ate when I was a kid and the buildings that you see.
“It brings back a lot of memories which makes me a bit happy.
“In terms of the food, you get most of it in Australia, but they don't cook it like over here…They cook like my mom.”
Friedrichs is one of more experienced players in the squad with 27 caps since her debut in 2022.
Since then, the centre has stepped up as a mentor for the younger generation coming through, particularly fullback Caitlyn Halse.
“It’s really cool to see how much Caitlyn has grown as a player over the last 18 months,” Friedrichs said.
“Maya (Stewart) and I have taken her under our wing. I hate to say it but I like to bully her in the gym and I’m like ‘you can be stronger, you can lift more’ (laughs).
“It’s great to see how far she’s come in the last 18 months.”
The focus turns to facing the hosts South Africa, with Friedrichs well aware they can’t afford to take the 11th-ranked side lightly.
"In their last few games they've got a couple wins, so they're on the rise," she said.
“…After a rough couple of weeks it was good to finally put 80 minutes together so spirits are high, but we're not taking this week lightly."
