The next job at hand is the most important and that is to try and beat Spain in Madrid on Saturday, according to Springbok Women prop Babalwa Latsha, who said on Monday the focus for the week is firmly on the Test against their hosts at Estadio Nacional Universidad Complutense Stadium and nothing else.
Springbok Women interim coach Louis Koen said the 10 tries to one defeat to Canada in Madrid on Saturday was a reality check for his side, but that they are more determined than ever to close the gap on the top sides of the world. (more…)
It will be in the unlikeliest of homes where the biggest cheer will be heard on Saturday when Mary Zulu runs onto the field for her first international cap for South Africa, starting at fullback for the Springbok Women.
Springbok Women interim coach Louis Koen named three uncapped players – Mary Zulu, Shaunique Hess and Danelle Lochner – in the starting team and added Byrhandré Dolf to the bench to face Canada in Madrid on Saturday.
She played her first Test a decade ago, and this week in Madrid, Springbok Women scrumhalf Tayla Kinsey is yet again chomping at the bit to have another opportunity to represent her country.
The need to grow the talent pool and expose new players to the Springbok Women's environment were stated goals for the squad when SA Rugby recently announced their tour to Spain and Tests against Canada and Spain.
Imagine the moment. One minute left to play in a crucial Rugby World Cup match; South Africa are awarded a penalty, and you nail it to put your side ahead 17-14 against Fiji with one more play left in the game.
The Springbok Women have clear objectives they want to achieve on their two-Test tour to Spain and according to interim coach Louis Koen, they hope to return to South Africa early next month with an understood and established playing identity.
Last year’s Rugby World Cup in New Zealand did not deliver the desired results for the Springbok Women, but that did not in any way deter the passion and drive in the group to keep growing and improving as a squad.
Former Springbok flyhalf and SA Rugby’s High-Performance Manager Louis Koen has been appointed as interim head coach of the Springbok Women’s team for their tour to Spain later this month, with Junior Springbok Women’s coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt taking the reins as assistant coach on the trip.