The South Africa Springbok Women’s rugby team is gearing up for their first match of 2024, as they prepare to take on the Barbarians in front of a home crowd at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town this Saturday.
This match marks their first appearance on home soil this year, and the team is eager to start on a high note despite some challenges in their preparations.
Performance coach Swys de Bruin, who was recently appointed to the team, fell ill on Sunday and will not join the squad for the week’s training sessions. However, De Bruin will continue to guide the coaching staff virtually.
His absence has not dampened the team’s spirits, as assistant coach Franzel September emphasized the team’s positive outlook and focus on achieving their goals.
“This week is all about ourselves – we want to get our systems right and make sure that come Saturday, we are all aligned and ready to go,” September said.
The team held its first training session of the week on Monday, with a clear emphasis on refining their own game plan rather than focusing on their opponents.
The Springbok Women’s encounter with the Barbarians serves as a crucial warm-up ahead of their participation in the WXV 2 tournament later this month. The match is a significant test against a star-studded Barbarians squad known for their adventurous and expansive style of play.
“The Baabaas are known for an adventurous approach and taking the ball wide, and I don’t think anything will be different this time around,” September noted. “We need to be ready, and much of the week will be about arriving with the right mindset and game plan.”
Adding to the significance of the match, the Springbok Women will be sharing the same field as the Springboks, who are set to play against the All Blacks later in the day.
September acknowledged the honor of playing on the same stage but stressed the importance of focusing on their own game.
“That is massive for us and a huge honor to share this day with the Boks, but they are not going to play for us; we need to go out there and get the job done ourselves,” he stated.
The team will also benefit from the experience of Zintle Mpupha, who has recently returned from competing in the Olympic Games and playing on the HSBC SVNS circuit with the Springbok Women’s Sevens team.
Mpupha, who has scored 101 points in 20 Tests, expressed her readiness to switch back to the fifteens format.
“It is the same field and the same ball; you just have more people to contend with in fifteens,” she explained. “The Olympics was great, and it was a goal reached, but that is something of the past now. I had a nice break after the Games and returned refreshed and ready.”
The match against the Barbarians is expected to provide a valuable measure of the team’s readiness for the upcoming WXV 2 tournament.
Despite the challenges, the Springbok Women are focused and determined to showcase their talents and prove they deserve this opportunity on the international stage.
De Bruin is set to rejoin the squad on September 15th, ahead of their test against Spain on 19th September in Cape Town.
Source: SA Rugby
