It was only two seasons ago that Xoliswa Khuzwayo made her Test debut against Spain in Valladolid, but since then, the Springbok Women prop has added two Rugby Africa Women’s Cup titles and a Women’s Rugby World Cup to her CV, as well as a recent tour to Fiji, where she started in both of South Africa’s Test victories.
Springbok flanker Paul de Villiers was visibly disappointed after their defeat to the Wallabies but said it inspired the team to come back fighting when the Nations Championship resumes in November.
Springbok No 8 Jasper Wiese is confident that the Boks will become stronger from their defeat to Australia ahead of the Nations Championship in Europe in November.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus and captain Andre Esterhuizen were frank in their assessment about the team’s disappointing defeat in a hard grind against the Wallabies at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Sunday, and accepted full blame for the result.
The Wallabies held their nerve under immense late pressure to fend off a determined Springbok surge and secure a 42-38 victory at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
The four South African franchises got their Vodacom United Rugby Championship campaigns off to winning start, with the Vodacom Bulls, Hollywoodbets Sharks and DHL Stormers recording bonus–point wins, while the 10bet Lions edged the defending champions.
Springbok assistant coach Mzwandile Stick said the Boks were preparing for an intense battle against the Wallabies in Perth on Sunday as they wrap up this leg of their international season.
The Springbok Women squad to face Italy in their second WXV Global Series match show wholesale changes from last week’s tour opener against Wales, with the starting line-up reshuffled significantly, while two players will share the captaincy on Saturday.
Springbok prop Zachary Porthen is relishing the chance to face the Wallabies in Perth on Sunday, with the squad ready for the challenge in their final Test before the Nations Championship in November.
Springbok assistant coach Duane Vermeulen says the Wallabies will be well prepared for Sunday’s Perth Test after analysing the Boks and All Blacks during Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.