Having played Kenya twice in the last year, the Springbok Women are well aware of the physical confrontation that awaits them at Stade Makis in Antananarivo on Wednesday at 12:00 (SA Time) when the two sides meet in the second round of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup.
The two teams faced off last May at the same tournament and again four months later in Cape Town, as both were preparing for WXV according to Springbok Women captain Nolusindiso Booi, the match on Wednesday will be a physical affair, as the previous two turned out to be.
“I think both teams have prepared accordingly,” said Booi. “We saw in the first round last Saturday that all four teams here are well drilled and we had some good rugby played because of it. Expect the same tomorrow.”
For the experienced lock, the Bok Women hold their own key to a successful day: “We have a plan on how to overcome Kenya. It worked in the past and will work again if we apply ourselves and stick to the process.
“The pack of forwards will have to dominate and force their pack into submission, that is our approach for this match. We need to scrum well, force penalties and get our maul going for the tryline. It is no secret that we play that way. I believe Kenya will try to get around us on the outside, so the defence of our backline will be key in that regard.”
The South African captain will extend her record as the most-capped player for South Africa to 44 Tests on Wednesday, while on the other side of the scale, Sikholiwe ‘Sne’ Mdletshe will make her debut on the left wing.
“We are a very experienced team running out there and all will help Sne during the game, but she will do well, she is a very good rugby player,” Booi predicted.
Mdletshe said she can not wait to play: “It is something I worked for and now it is happening. I can only thank the Lord for this opportunity, one I am hoping to make the most of.
“I am not nervous, as I have played netball tests before with the Proteas. The process will be the same in my preparation, it will just be the physical challenge that will be different,” added Mdletshe.
Jakkie Cilliers, who did not play in the win over Cameroon, said she is keen to contribute against Kenya, the team she made her test debut against in Stellenbosch in 2021.
“It is going to be a very physical affair for sure, but we are all looking forward to that,” said Cilliers, who will start at outside centre.
Head-to-Head:
17/08/2019: SA won 39-0 (Brakpan)
12/08/2021: SA won 66-0 (Stellenbosch)
16/08/2021: SA won 29-22 (Stellenbosch)
24/05/2023: SA won 48-0 (Antananarivo)
16/09/2023: SA won 77-12 (Cape Town)
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