The Springbok Women consider that their preparations are spot on, that their gameplan is stable and that the need to win is as robust because it has ever been, says Springbok Women captain, Nolusindiso Booi, which provides collectively to make them a harmful opponent in Saturday’s Rugby World Cup opening match towards France at Eden Park in Auckland.
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Booi and her team-mates are eagerly awaiting their return to the largest stage of the sport, following their final look on the Rugby World Cup method again in 2014.
“It is a massive relief that we can get going again at this level, because this is where we want to play at. We want to compete against the best teams in the biggest competitions and they do not come bigger than this,” mentioned Booi, who will likely be competing in her third event, after being a part of the 2010 and 2014 occasions.
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She shared her ideas after the normal captain’s run on the day earlier than kick-off and mentioned the expertise of visiting Eden Park was one other enhance to the staff.
“It is a very nice stadium, steeped in history. The playing surface looks great and knowing that the stands will be packed during the opening day of matches is a boost to the team. We want to play in front of big crowds in big stadiums and this will happen tomorrow. That is a special feeling, especially for me reflecting back to the status of women’s rugby in SA when I played in 2010 and even 2014. Women’s rugby is ready to explode onto the world scene and we are part of that,” she mentioned.
Booi mentioned the goodwill acquired from all over the place, however particularly South Africans was a lift to the staff.
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“We have received so many well wishes and messages of support already and that inspires us. We have a realistic outlook of our chances in this tournament, we are ranked 11th in the world and never finished higher than 10th. But I can tell you now, this is the best prepared team we have ever fielded. We are ready, there is a good core of players and all of us are ready to embrace the moment.”
France will likely be a tricky nut to crack and they haven’t misplaced in 4 earlier encounters with the Springbok Women.
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“Stats will tell you one thing, but I know the heart of this team. We are here to show everyone we can also play this game, that we have the ability to compete. We have a plan against France, as good as they are. We are not running onto the field just for the sake of it.”
The Springbok Women made a number of gradual begins in Tests this yr, whereas France have been fast out of the blocks in their matches in 2022, so it may flip ugly rapidly if the SA facet aren’t sharp from the beginning.
“It has been a problem yes, but the way we trained, the energy and good spirits in the team, combined with a clear vision of how to approach and execute this game makes me confident that we will make South Africa proud on Saturday,” mentioned Booi.
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Selected stats
- South Africa have gained solely three matches out of 15 on the Rugby World Cup – towards Kazakhstan and Wales in 2010 and Wales in 2014.
- Zenay Jordaan will equal Zandile Nojoko’s tally of 34 Test caps if she is used off the bench. Her 98 factors can also be essentially the most by any participant in Tests, however that may very well be surpassed by Libbie Janse van Rensburg (96), who scored 86 of these factors in 2022.
- Zintle Mpupha may additionally lengthen her try-scoring report of 16 tries (15 Test matches) if she manages to cross the French try-line.
Match particulars
South Africa v France
Venue: Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: 03:15 (SA time)
Referee: Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand)
TV: SuperSport Variety 4
Previous outcomes towards France:
10 August 2009: Draw 17-17 at Oakville, Canada
4 July 2014: France gained 46-8 at Marcoussis, France
5 August 2014: France gained 55-3 at Marcoussis, France (Rugby World Cup match)
6 November 2021: France gained 46-3 in Vannes, France
The Springbok Women staff to face France:
15. Nadine Roos (Blue Bulls Women) – 8 checks, 25 factors (5 tries)
14. Nomawethu Mabenge (EP Queens) – 8 checks, 25 factors (5 tries)
13. Zintle Mpupha (Western Province) – 15 checks, 86 factors (16 tries, 3 conversions)
12. Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies) – 12 checks, 35 factors (7 tries)
11. Simamkele Namba (Western Province) – 6 checks, 30 factors (6 tries)
10. Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Blue Bulls Women) – 10 checks, 96 factors (4 tries, 26 conversions, 7 penalty targets, 1 drop aim)
9. Tayla Kinsey (Sharks Women) – 21 checks, 44 factors (2 tries, 14 conversions, 2 penalty targets)
8. Aseza Hele (Boland Dames) – 13 checks, 25 factors (5 tries)
7. Sinazo Mcatshulwa (Western Province) – 15 checks, 35 factors (7 tries)
6. Sizophila Solontsi (Sharks Women) – 13 checks, 25 factors (5 tries)
5. Rights Mkhari (Blue Bulls Women) – 8 checks, 35 factors (7 tries)
4. Nolusindiso Booi (captain, Western Province) – 30 checks, 10 factors (2 tries)
3. Babalwa Latsha (Western Province) – 17 checks, 10 factors (2 tries)
2. Lindelwa Gwala (Sharks Women) – 18 checks, 10 factors (2 tries)
1. Sanelisiwe Charlie (EP Queens) – 4 checks
Replacements:
16. Roseline Botes (Western Province) – 5 checks, 10 factors (2 tries)
17. Asithandile Ntoyanto (Border Ladies) – 12 checks, 10 factors (2 tries)
18. Monica Mazibukwana (EP Queens) – 3 checks
19. Catha Jacobs (Blue Bulls Women) – 7 checks
20. Lusanda Dumke (Border Ladies) – 15 checks, 25 factors (5 tries)
21. Unam Tose (Border Ladies) – 11 checks
22. Zenay Jordaan (EP Queens) – 33 checks, 98 factors (13 tries, 12 conversions, 3 penalty targets)
23. Eloise Webb (Border Ladies) – 7 checks, 30 factors (6 tries)
