Latest news with #CathaJacobs
The Herald
3 days ago
- Sport
- The Herald
Bok Women ooze optimism while sharing their expertise in Zwide
Morale and team spirit were high as the Springbok Women's team conducted a rugby clinic at Ndzondelelo High School in the heart of Zwide on Wednesday morning. The national team are coming off the back of a 50-20 defeat at the Loftus Versfeld Stadium in Pretoria at the weekend and have been in constant training and preparation ahead of their second Test against Canada at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium on Saturday. But the Bok Women found time in their busy schedule to run a training workshop in the backyard of men's double World Cup-winning captain Siya Kolisi, as the youths got the opportunity to run drills with the team and get a feel for what to expect in a competitive rugby environment. The Boks' socially responsible presence is always felt in inner-city communities, where effective communication encourages the youth to pursue sports and interact with South African heroes. The team's second row lock, Catha Jacobs, reinforced the critical nature of rugby promotion 'A big thing in our team is to promote rugby, to grow rugby for girls and for boys. 'Being out here today having loads of girls and boys here, this is why we play rugby, for days like this. 'The girls here, the boys here, they are the future of rugby. 'If you have a dream, follow your dream, work as hard as possible and also surround yourself with people who have similar goals as you, and that will help you.' Under the experienced captaincy of Nolusindiso Booi, the Boks have their eyes set on the Canada game with great optimism while looking to gain as much preparation as possible to guarantee a fortifying run at the Women's World Cup in August.
IOL News
01-07-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Jakkie Cilliers' boot could be key to Bok Women's chances of success against Canada
Springbok Women and Bulls Daisies goal-kicking specialist Jakkie Cilliers is pleased with her recent return to form as the Boks gear up to take on Canada on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld. Image: AYANDA NDAMANE Independent Newspapers Springbok Women's goal-kicking ace Jakkie Cilliers' recent uptick in form could be crucial to the team's chances against Canada, and in the tight matches at the World Cup. The 24-year-old wing, who sometimes plays at outside centre, is the first-choice goal kicker for the Boks and the Bulls Daisies. The Springbok Men's team has demonstrated the value of an accurate goal kicker on the biggest stage of all, especially when matches are decided by one or two points. At the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, a hat-trick of one-point wins led them to a historic fourth title. The Springbok Women, like the men, play a forwards-dominated game, and the ability to capitalise on the penalties that accrue from the often relentless pressure is crucial. 'I am kicking well again,' said Cilliers. 'I did go through a bit of a tough patch and had help from a couple of people, but on our recent tour to Europe, coach Swys de Bruin just tweaked something small and suddenly I am kicking them from all over the place again.' Cilliers hopes her name is read out on Thursday when the team is announced for the first Test against Canada – the Bok Women's second at Loftus Versfeld. If she is in the matchday 23, it will be the second time she takes on the North Americans and this time, Cilliers believes, they have a chance to pull off a surprise win. Two years ago, Cilliers was part of the squad that lost 66-7 to Canada in Madrid. She is a perfectionist when it comes to her kicking, and she hopes to have a chance to make up for the penalty attempt she missed in the Spanish capital. Former England-based forward Catha Jacobs was able to offer her Springbok Women teammates valuable insights into Canada's players ahead of this Saturday's Test match. Image: BackpagePix Intimate knowledge of the home conditions will count in the left-footed kicker's favour. The clash at Loftus (1.30pm kick-off) will be the first between the Bok Women and the North Americans on South African soil. 'Loftus is not the easiest place to play, especially if you are not used to the altitude and once that gets to you, it is tough,' Cilliers said. 'Most of our players know the surface well, how the ball bounces and even how easy it is to lose your footing, so that is something that could add to the small margins in any game. 'We know Canada are really playing well but having firsthand knowledge of the stadium and the surface and being used to the altitude will certainly be to our benefit.' Having played against most of the Canadian team on a regular basis in England, Springbok Women's utility forward Catha Jacobs is in a good position to act as a sounding board for her teammates. Jacobs, who just completed a three-year stint with the Leicester Tigers Women, where she played with Canadian flyhalf Claire Gallagher – but also against 14 other Canadians plying their trade in the English league – had some good insights to share with the rest of the South African side. 'Individually, they are really skilful and one can see why – if you put them all in one team – they are number two in the world,' said Jacobs.
