Springbok Women’s coach Swys de Bruin believes the Wallaroos will provide his team with an accurate gauge of where they are as they build towards next year’s World Cup in England.
The South Africans got through a hard-fought 31-24 win over Japan last week, but the Australian ladies will present an even sterner challenge at the Athlone Stadium in tomorrow’s encounter (5pm kick-off).
“I am excited. This is a special bunch of girls, and I am looking forward to seeing what they can do against a top team,” De Bruin said after announcing that flank Lusanda Dumke will lead the side in this second round match of the WXV 2 tournament.
“The Aussies will be the real test,” the former Lions coach added.
“The exceptional way they played against Wales last week tells us that they are the real deal, and this game will indicate where we are as a team.”
Dumke takes over the captaincy armband from Nolusindiso Booi, who will play off the bench.
Booi will extend her national record to 48 Test caps, while Dumke will play her 32nd Test.
A classsic loading... ⌛️
— SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) October 3, 2024
Pure vibes at the team photo 😂#WomenBoks#MakeItCount#ETTIG pic.twitter.com/HgZY3Rn2dK
Against Japan, the Bok Women kept the game tight and overpowered their opponents up front.
De Bruin hinted that this week, the backs might be given more freedom to attack.
“We must not be harsh on the backs if we look at how we played last week,” De Bruin said.
“We played a lot with the forwards against Japan because we wanted to play them through the middle, through the guts.
“The backs might surprise you sooner than you think. Some games you go to the fast girls at the back, and sometimes you switch to the forwards.”
De Bruin has been an attack coach under Rassie Erasmus at the SA men’s team, and he ultimately wants the women to win games by scoring tries.
“We are undergoing a process,” he said. “It is very important to note that it is easier to coach set play and defence, because you don’t have the ball and it is about things like spacing and organisation.
“With attack, it is a multi-skilled task, and the more caps we accumulate in the team, the better as we build attacking momentum.”
De Bruin reiterated the fact that next year’s World Cup in England is the main focus, and this week’s team selection is deemed best for the Australian challenge.
“We have 30 players in the squad, and have the luxury of tweaking numbers here and there,” said De Bruin.
“Lusanda was not available for selection against Japan as she was completing her return-to-play protocols, but she is ready now and being the world-class player she is, will be at her best come Saturday.
“She is the captain of the Bulls Daisies as well, so she will not have any problems in that regard. It is also part of our strategy to build depth in the leadership group.
“Injuries are also part of the game. Last week, we lost Lindelwa Gwala and this time around, Libbie (Janse van Rensburg) is not available. As is always the case with injuries, it creates opportunities for the next player.”
Springbok Women Team
15 Eloise Webb 14 Jakkie Cilliers 13 Zintle Mpupha 12 Chumisa Qawe 11 Ayanda Malinga 10 Nadine Roos 9 Unam Tose 8 Aseza Hele 7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa 6 Lusando Dumke (captain) 5 Vainah Ubisi 4 Danelle Lochner 3 Babalwa Latsha 2 Roseline Botes 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie.
Bench: 16 Micke Gunter 17 Yonela Ngxingolo 18 Azisa Mkiva 19 Nolusindiso Booi 20 Catha Jacobs 21 Sizophila Solontsi 22 Felicia Jacobs 23 Byrhandre Dolf.