After a comfortable start to teh Women’s Rugby World Cup, the Springbok Women’s full attention has now turned to Italy, their second Pool D opponent in England for a match that could determine their destiny for the tournament.
Victory against the Italians will secure a top two finish for the Springbok Women and a guaranteed place in the quarter-finals of the tournament.
Kick off on Sunday, 31 August, is at 16:30 (SA time) in York.
Springbok Women assistant coach Franzel September said the coaches were very pleased with the intensity and focus from the squad as game-day draws ever closer.
“It was good to get back to zero again after the good win over Brazil on Sunday and the journey to York yesterday,” said September.
“We started afresh today, with the sole focus for the next couple of days on our match against Italy and what we want out of it. We saw some good things from the Brazil game and celebrated that victory, but that is in the past now. Italy is all at that matters.”
Springbok Women have eyes on the prize
September said their previous two Tests against Italy, both in WXV 2 in Cape Town, showed the progress of the Bok Women.
In 2023, Italy won 36-18, but last year the Europeans could only manage a 23-19 win over the team in green and gold. With the good form enjoyed by his squad now, September feels confident of overturning the result and beating Italy for the first time.
“We are well prepared, have good momentum and the team have some self-belief that this will be our very best World Cup ever. It is all in our hands,” he said.
The squad for the Italian match will be announced on Friday. Byrhandrѐ Dolf did not train on Tuesday due to a calf strain, but she is expected to be ready for Sunday.
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