The Springbok Women may still have a mathematical chance of finishing top of the WXV 2 standings on Saturday in Cape Town, but the primary focus will be on producing a complete performance against Italy.
South Africa opened their campaign two weekends ago with a good win over Japan and pushed Australia all the way last Saturday, and the team now heads into an all-important season-ending fixture.
This Saturday’s clash at Athlone Stadium kicks off at 14:00.
“We are looking to finish strong and with a win”, was the straight forward assessment of assistant coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt after the Springbok Women had a short but intense training session at Hamiltons Rugby Club in Green Point on Monday.
“We are improving very nicely, we have good momentum and the fact that we came close against Australia and scored four tries against them, tell you about our progress,” she added.
“They are currently ranked seventh in the world and we came within one play of a draw. That tells us we are on the right track as we work towards the Rugby World Cup in England next year.”
Springbok Women making continual progress
There is the little matter of last year’s result, but for the Springbok Women, Saturday’s final WXV 2 match against Italy at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town is all about finishing the season well and with their tails up.
According to Catha Jacobs, one of the loose forwards in the squad, their growth has been measurable and for the Bok Women, nothing would be more satisfying than closing out a solid season with victory over Italy in their final Test of the year.
The Springbok Women have beaten Japan and then lost to Australia, both with seven point margins, in their two WXV appearances so far, and Jacobs said they are determined to finish strong.
“The last couple of weeks were good – since we started our camp in Gqeberha some weeks ago, we managed to tick most of the boxes we set ourselves,” said Jacobs.
“We had objectives and planned outcomes for each of those games and it went well. We got a good indication from all the outings that we are progressing well, so it will make it worth it with one more push past Italy on the weekend.”
Jacobs, who plays for the Leicester Tigers Women, knows a number of Italian players, either as team mates or opponents in the English league.
“We have also seen what they have done so far in the tournament and have a good idea to combat their strengths and exploit areas where we feel they are not as strong,” she said.
“They have a skilled team and their backline and decision-makers are very good, while their pack have stood up well, so the challenge will be real.”
Jacobs said they will stick to what worked best so far, but hinted that more variety can be expected from the South Africans on Saturday.
“Look, the power of our pack has been a source of possession and a strong point in our play and it will continue,” she said. “We are also working on other areas of our play and will certainly try new things as we grow as a team. One thing is a guarantee – we are not going into this game to lose.”
The two sides met last year in the same competition, with Italy victorious, and Jacobs remembers the “frustrating” game well: “We really made it tough for ourselves, but not this time around. We are going in there to win and win well. That will finish the year for us on a high and will ensure we enter our next cycle, going into the Rugby World Cup next year, on a positive note.”
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