Having played Kenya twice in the last year, the Springbok Women are well aware of the physical confrontation that awaits them at Stade Makis in Antananarivo on Wednesday when the two sides meet in the second round of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup.

The two teams faced off last May at the same tournament and again four months later in Cape Town as both were preparing for WXV, and according to Springbok Women captain Nolusindiso Booi, the match on Wednesday will be a physcal affair, as the previous two turned out to be.

“I think both teams have prepared accordingly,” said Booi. “We saw in the first round last Saturday that all four teams here are well drilled and we had some good rugby played because of it. Expect the same tomorrow.”

For the experiened lock, the Bok Women hold their own key to a successful day: “We have a plan on how to overcome Kenya. It worked in the past and will work again if we apply ourselves and stick to the process.

“The pack of forwards will have to dominate and force their pack in submission, that is our approach for this match. We need to scrum well, force penalties and get our maul going for the tryline. It is no secret that we play that way. I believe Kenya will try to get around us on the outside, so the defence of our backline will be key in that regard.”

The South African captain will extend record as most-capped player for South Africa to 44 Tests on Wednesday, while on the other side of the scale, Sikholiwe ‘Sne’ Mdletshe will made her debut on the left wing.

“We are a very experienced team running out there and all will help Sne during the game, but she will do well, she is a very good rugby player,” Booi predicted.

Mdletshe said she cannot wait to play: “It is something I worked for and now it is happening. I can only thank the Lord for this opportunity, one I am hoping to make the most of.

“I am not nervous, as I have played netball tests before with the Proteas. The process will be the same in my preparation, it will just be the physical challenge that will be different,” added Mdletshe.

Jakkie Cilliers, who did not play in the win over Cameroon, said she is keen to contribute against Kenya, the team she made her test debut against in Stellenbosch in 2021.

“It is going to be very physical affair for sure, but we are all looking forward to that,” said Cilliers, who will start at outside centre.

Head-to-Head:
17/08/2019: SA won 39-0 (Brakpan)
12/08/2021: SA won 66-0 (Stellenbosch)
16/08/2021: SA won 29-22 (Stellenbosch)
24/05/2023: SA won 48-0 (Antananarivo)
16/09/2023: SA won 77-12 (Cape Town)

Match details – Springbok Women v Kenya:
Venue: Stade Makis, Antananarivo
Date: Wednesday, 8 May 2024
Kick-off: 12h00 (SA time)
Referee: Adele Robert (Belgium)
Assistant Referees: Julie Randriarimanana (Madagascar), Stephane Rakotoniraini (Madagascar)
Livestream: Rugby Afrique Facebook page and SA Rugby YouTube page
TV: SS Variety 3

Issued by SA Rugby Communications

Photo by Springbok Women Website