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.
Experienced Springbok Women’s players Nomawethu Mabenge, Lusanda Dumke and Sizophila Solontsi have been included in the national squad for the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Madagascar next month, where qualification for the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England is at stake.
The Springbok Women have make significant progress on their European tour that concluded with defeat to the USA in London on Saturday, but they need to eliminate soft moments in high intensity situations if they want to compete against and become a top ten ranked team.
Springbok Women head coach Louis Koen has recalled Aseza Hele to the starting pack for Saturday’s Test against the USA in London, while also making two more changes to the side that started against Spain in their 15-13 win last weekend.
The Springbok Women are determined to finish their European tour on a high and deliver a commanding performance when they face the USA on Saturday.
Jakkie Cilliers loves kicking for poles, and added pressure – like lining up a potential match-winning kick – does not change her approach, and she admitted that some sage advice by a former Springbok flyhalf helped her adjust to this new role entrusted to her.
A win on Test debut is one thing, and it’s something else to help seal the victory in the last play of the game, but the four Springbok Women debutants in Saturday’s victory over Spain in Villadolid would not change their dramatic entry into international rugby for anything.
Springbok Women head coach Louis Koen congratulated his team on their narrow 15-13 win over Spain in their season-opener in Valladolid on Saturday and added that the Test would be remembered for the way in which the South Africans ground out the victory, rather than the spectacular play by the visitors.
Springbok Women’s coach Louis Koen has included four uncapped players – two in the starting pack and two on the bench – when they play Spain in a one-off Test at Pepe Rojo Stadium in Valladolid on Saturday to start their 2024 international season.
There is a golden thread between Spain and the rugby career of Springbok Women midfielder Piwokuhle Nyanda.