Springbok Women interim head coach Louis Koen congratulated his squad on their effort in Madagascar during the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, where they won all three their games and lifted the trophy at Stade Maki in Antananarivo on Sunday.
Springbok coach Jacques Nienaber had the luxury of naming a group of 33 players for their second preparation camp in Durban from Monday to Wednesday, which included 10 players who featured in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Grand Final in Cape Town on Saturday evening, and a host of overseas-based players.
Munster’ success against the odds in the United Rugby Championship at the weekend was hailed for its character and the resilience showed after weeks on the road.
Munster earned their first Vodacom United Rugby Championship title since 2011 in front of a record crowd of over 56 300 fans as they scored a late try to deny hosts, the DHL Stormers, their second successive title at home, thanks to a narrow 19-14 victory in an intense Grand Final in Cape Town on Saturday night.
A packed Stade Maki, an intimidating crowd and a fired-up home team await the Springbok Women in Antananarivo on Sunday, when they conclude their Rugby Africa Women’s Cup tournament against Madagascar.
Springbok Women interim head coach Louis Koen has included former Junior Springbok Women lock Vainah Ubisi in his starting team to play Madagascar in the final game of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Antananarivo on Sunday, and handed Tayla Kinsey a first start in the tournament at scrumhalf.
The DHL Stormers will channel all their energy into Saturday’s Vodacom United Rugby Championship decider with the hope of winning back-to-back titles when they host Irish giants, Munster, in the Grand Final in Cape Town.
South Africa are confident captain Siya Kolisi will be fit for the World Cup after undergoing knee surgery last month and will give him as much time possible to be ready even if he misses the opening games.
The Cell C Sharks go into their second round Currie Cup clash against the NovaVit Griffons in Welkom on Friday afternoon looking to maintain their grip on a home semi-final as the competition nears the knock-out stages.
The experienced Veroeshka Grain will play in her 50th provincial match for DHL Western Province when they host Gauteng visitors, the Mastercard Golden Lions Women at Athlone Stadium on Friday in the fourth round of the SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division.