Bok Women’s powerful pack carry SA hopes on their broad shoulders at Rugby World Cup

Springbok Women’s scrum coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt is confident that a forward pack that is among the world’s best can drive the South Africans to new heights at the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup in England.

South Africa are determined to achieve a best ever performance at the tournament where the Bok Women have won only three of their 18 matches to date, something the coach said has to change.

“I’m exceptionally proud of where we come from and where we’re going. This pack is a proper machine. They are raring to go. The amount of power they have, without them even realising their power, is phenomenal,” Johannes-Haupt said.

“Our set piece is going to dominate at this World Cup, and I’m putting it out there because that’s exactly where I see us. I see us as probably in the top three best packs in the world, and taking that confidence into the World Cup is just special.”

The Bok Women’s powerful pack of forwards has laid the platform for the crucial victory over the Black Ferns XV and strong performances against highly ranked Canada in the build-up to the showpiece in England. 

They are determined to enhance this burgeoning reputation on the grandest stage of all in the Pool D performances against Brazil, Italy and France over the next three weekends, and to be rated among the best.

Johannes-Haupt admitted that it was an emotional time for her to return to a Women's Rugby World Cup in England, where she represented the Springbok Women in 2010.

“This is such a huge moment for me to now see where we are as a team and what that road looked like from 2010,” she said.

“It is so fulfilling to see how these players are living the dream we had way back. I am so proud of the way they carry themselves as Springbok Women and how proud they are of playing here, representing us.”

The 2010 squad won matches against Wales and Kazakhstan, but for Johannes-Haupt, the expectation of a potential top eight finish was far off back then.

“Back in 2010, we could not anticipate that, so it is really great to be here and experience this moment with this team,” she said.

“The class of 2010 are proud, I know I speak for all of them, although the job is only starting on Sunday. We have a massive responsibility to take this team to a status they never had.”

Experienced prop Babalwa Latsha said she is proud to call herself a Springbok Women rugby player: “Rugby gave me an identity and a voice. In a way, becoming a rugby player liberated me as a person. I started playing rugby by chance, but the real answer to the question is why I kept playing rugby and is still doing that today.”

The fact that she was accepted despite her body shape made her feel welcome up to this day, Latsha said.

“Suddenly I was accepted for the way I looked and how I was built,” said Latsha, who will will extend her record as most capped prop in a Bok Women jersey at this Rugby World Cup.

“In fact, I was celebrated because I was strong and did not mind running over people. That gave me the confidence that I am indeed special and from that day my confidence grew, and I found a voice and space in life.”

The experience-laden Bok Women begin their World Cup campaign with a clash against Brazil  at Franklin’s Garden in Northampton on Sunday that they hope will set the tone for the rest of the tournament.