By: Bon Miguela Nhlapo
Confident they have what it takes to challenge the Black Ferns, the Springbok Women are prepared when the two sides meet in a historic Test at FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Saturday.
South Africa will face the second-ranked New Zealand in a first-ever meeting between the sides on South African soil. The Springbok Women are also working towards a higher rank in the World Rugby rankings.
The match forms part of a first-ever double-header at FNB Stadium, with the Springboks and All Blacks facing off later in the afternoon.
Springbok Women captain Babalwa Latsha said her team was focused on executing its game plan rather than being intimidated by New Zealand’s reputation as the best.
We have a plan and that includes being direct and physical and playing to our strengths, which is a very strong set piece,” said Latsha.
The last time the sides met was in last years quarter-finals of the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Exeter, where the Women Boks were beaten 46-17 by the Black Ferns – but Latsha said that result would not change their approach.
Latsha added that the significance of Saturday’s encounter had not been lost on the squad.
We are also aware of the historical nature of this clash, being the first one between us played in South Africa as well as our first match at FNB Stadium, the biggest stadium in the country.”
Vice-captain Libbie Janse van Rensburg believes the Springbok Women can draw valuable lessons from their previous encounter with New Zealand.
We had a plan and it worked for the first half, when we were 10-10,” said Janse van Rensburg. Adding, “we did not maintain that composure in the second half and that allowed them to run away with it. We cannot afford just one half, we need to play equally well in both.”
The progress the Springbok Women’s have made up through the world rankings, has been one of the clearest signs of their development over the past two years.
Janse van Rensburg said breaking into the top 10 in the world was an important milestone, but the squad has already set its sights on moving higher up.
Now our next focus is getting into the top five and for that we need to play against teams in the top five. Tomorrow we are doing that. Those things are all part of our growth spurt which over the last two years was impressive.”
The stakes are particularly high in terms of the rankings. A victory over New Zealand would see South Africa climb three places to a record seventh, whereas a win by more than 15 points would earn them an additional place.
With several individual milestones in sight, Yonela Ngxingolo is the most-capped player in the squad with 46 Tests, while Latsha, on 43 caps, is the most-capped tighthead prop in Springbok Women history.
Hooker Lindelwa Gwala has 40 Tests. Byrhandré Dolf could earn her 30th cap on Saturday, becoming the 12th member of the match-day squad to reach that milestone.
Vice captain Janse van Rensburg, could extend her record as the Springbok Women’s leading Test points scorer. She currently has 221 points from 14 tries, 56 conversions, 12 penalty goals and one drop goal.
Zintle Mpupha will also add to her record as the team’s leading Test try-scorer, having crossed the line 20 times in 31 Tests.
Springbok Women will face the Black Ferns at FNB Stadium in Johannesbur. Kick-off is set for 13:30, with referee Zoe Naude officiating.