The Springbok Women know that one good half of rugby will not be enough to beat the Black Ferns at FNB Stadium on Saturday (1.30pm kickoff) — and history has already shown them why.
When South Africa faced New Zealand in last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final in Exeter, England, they went into half-time level with their opponents before the Black Ferns took control of the clash after the break to eventually win 46-17.
Vice-captain Libbie Janse van Rensburg believes the lesson from Exeter is still fresh almost a year later.
“We had a plan and it worked for the first half, when we were 10-10,” Janse van Rensburg said. “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.”
That consistency will be central to South Africa’s hopes against a New Zealand side ranked second in the world.
Captain Babalwa Latsha says the Bok Women will not abandon the qualities that have driven their progress, with a direct, physical approach and a powerful set piece remaining at the heart of their game plan.
“We have a plan and that includes being direct and physical and playing to our strengths, which is a very strong set piece,” she said. “They are a very skilful team and will no doubt try to get around us, while the direct route is our preferred option.”
Latsha also identified defensive consistency as another crucial factor.
“I think what we need to do right on Saturday is to get our defensive sets consistent and right at the right times,” she said. “We are not planning to move away from our strengths. What we are known for, which is to scrum and maul, just like the Springbok men as well, so we look forward to executing that on the day.”
The Bok Women head into the contest with confidence after beating Fiji twice on tour and recording a win and a defeat against the USA earlier in the year.
Those results have helped South Africa climb into the world’s top 10, but Janse van Rensburg says the next target is already clear.
“We wanted to break into the top 10 and needed to play against teams in that bracket to get there. We did that,” she said. “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.”
A victory would move South Africa up three places to a record seventh in the World Rugby rankings, with another place available if they win by more than 15 points. But Saturday is about more than rankings. It will be the first Test between the Springbok Women and Black Ferns on South African soil, and the Bok Women’s first match at FNB Stadium.
The fixture is part of the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry double-header, with the Springboks taking on the All Blacks later in the afternoon.
After Friday’s captain’s run at St John’s College, Latsha said the squad was ready for the challenge.
“The energy in the squad is fantastic. I think the girls are ready to go at this point and we truly look forward to what’s on Saturday, which is a fantastic spectacle,” she concluded.
