A gruelling long-haul flight via Dubai and typical Welsh drizzle couldn’t dampen the Springbok Women’s spirits, as they kicked off preparations for Friday’s WXV Global Series opener against Wales at Cardiff Arms Park.
The clash carries massive weight for South Africa, who are hunting for their first victory over the Welsh since 2010. Having won just two of their six Test encounters against Wales, the South Africans step into Friday night’s fixture with everything to prove on foreign soil.
Beyond breaking a 16-year drought against the hosts – who are ranked three places below the 10th-ranked South Africans in the world rankings – the match marks a poignant, full-circle milestone for scrumhalf Felicia Jacobs.
Drafted into the touring party as a late replacement when backline star Anacadia Minnaar was unable to make the trip from Cape Town, Jacobs returns to the place where she first pulled on the green and gold, having made her Test debut against Wales in Cardiff back in 2019.
Minnaar’s injury is the second blow to the Bok Women’s backline after centre Zintle Mpupha had to be replaced by rising star Naima Hlatshwayo.
“Felicia has been part of the squad all season, so we would not have expected less,” co-coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt said after Monday’s session. “It is a pity that Anacadia could not travel, but this gives Felicia the opportunity to add more experience on the international stage and we are excited about her involvement.”
Despite persistent wind and rain at Cardiff Metropolitan University, the squad got straight down to business with high intensity match simulation drills aimed at sharpening tactical clarity.
“The girls were a bit sore and tired from travelling, but they’re in great spirits again,” Johannes-Haupt said. “We wanted to be in the WXV Global Series for a reason, and the main one was the opportunity to play the best teams in the world consistently.”
The former Bok prop, who has taken over the reins with Franzel September after the departure of head coach Swys de Bruin, is expecting a physical set-piece battle in Cardiff.
“Wales is a forward-dominating team, just like us, so it’s going to be an interesting match-up. It’s nice to gauge where we are because we believe our set-piece is really dominant. Now we can explore that further on Friday,” she said.
The South Africans enter the WXV opener on the back of a strong 2026 campaign, carrying impressive form despite a setback in their hard-fought recent fixture against the Black Ferns, which they lost 52-20 in Soweto.
The Springbok Women have deliberately been tested against world-class opposition this year and have racked up an impressive six victories in eight Tests, including an unbeaten run to claim the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, a drawn home series against the USA and a successful tour to Fiji.
While the physical clash against New Zealand proved a stern test, the Bok Women demonstrated that they can push top-tier nations to the brink, giving them immense confidence as they step up into the WXV arena. Friday’s Test will be followed by away matches against Italy and Spain.
