Latest news with #SpringbokWomen
IOL News
a day ago
- 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.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Springbok Women's squad announced for Canada Test ahead of Rugby World Cup
Regular Springbok Women's captain Nolusindiso Booi is among the 16 forwards who have been named in the initial 26-player squad to face Canada in next weekend's Test match at Loftus. The Springbok Women are under no illusions about the challenge that awaits them when they take on the in-form Canada, the world No 2, at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday next week, as they step up preparations for the Rugby World Cup. A number of players who have been named in the initial squad of 26 will still have vivid memories of the last time the two teams met in 2023. Canada humbled the Springbok Women 66-7 in that Test, on March 25, 2023 in Madrid, Spain. The South Africans will be keen to set the record straight on home soil. History, and recent form, suggest that won't be an easy task, however. The Springbok team's performance coach, Swys de Bruin, said they are under no illusions about the challenge ahead as Canada achieved stunning success in the recent Pacific Four tournament. They beat Australia 45-7 in Brisbane, drew 27-27 with New Zealand in Christchurch, and beat the USA 26-14 in Kansas City. 'They are second in the world, and we are ranked twelfth, so the gap is massive, and we are certainly huge underdogs,' said De Bruin. 'But we wanted to be tested against a top side before the Rugby World Cup and this is it. We are hoping to be tested physically and tactically by Canada and our focus will be on how to respond to those challenges.' The squad of 26 players named for the first Test of the two-match series will assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday. Regular captain Nolusindiso Booi, the most-capped Springbok Women's Test player, is among the 16 forwards De Bruin named in the squad. The match 23 for the first Test will be announced on Thursday next. The squad is laden with experience. Only three of the forwards named – Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Luchell Hanekom and Danelle Lochner – did not represent South Africa at the previous Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. Nine of the 10 backs named also travelled to New Zealand three years ago, with only Byrhandrè Dolf not involved in the showpiece. However, Dolf has played in all 20 Tests that the Springbok Women have played since. It is a full-circle moment for the exciting backline player, who made her debut in the clash against Canada in 2023.
IOL News
5 days ago
- Sport
- IOL News
Springbok Women's Sevens captain Mathrin Simmers hangs up her boots
Mathrin Simmers, carrying the ball, has decided to hang up her boots after leading SA with distinction in the sevens arena. Springbok Women's Sevens skipper Mathrin Simmers, South Africa's most experienced women's sevens player, has decided to hang up her rugby boots. The 37-year-old represented the Springbok Women's Sevens since 2012, playing in 21 HSBC SVNS events, three Rugby World Cup Sevens, two Commonwealth Games and the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, as well as nine Rugby Africa Women's Cup events and five World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series tournaments. Simmers also represented the Springbok Women in six matches, including four Tests, between 2013 and 2019, scoring three tries in the process. 'Representing my country on numerous occasions has been one of the greatest honours of my life. Wearing that jersey, standing beside my teammates, singing the anthem – those are moments I'll carry in my heart forever," she said. 'Rugby has given me so much more than just a game – it has given me purpose, passion, and a second family."
IOL News
18-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Preparing for glory: How Springbok Women's team are building depth for 2025 Rugby World Cup
Winger Patience Mokone (23) was one of the stand-out young players for the Springbok Women in the Rugby Africa Cup. Photo: BackpagePix Image: BackpagePix Comment by Leighton Koopman Building and maintaining depth has always been one of the biggest stumbling blocks for the Springbok Women's side. However, under the tutelage of performance coach Swys de Bruin and his assistants Franzel September, Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Bafana Nhleko, they have ticked one box after the other on their way to the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England. A few blocks must still fall in place over the next month, especially on the field, but the Bok Women are set to head to the United Kingdom in August with their strongest squad ever to compete at the event. Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad loading The women's game in South Africa will not only benefit ahead of the World Cup, but also in the long run as well. De Bruin has ensured the blueprint of Springbok head coach Rassie Erasmus was followed looking at how they have expanded the overall squad with talented players. Broadening the selection pool at a national level has been crucial to the Bok Women's success over the past few months, and they did that while winning matches. The short-term goal is to make them as competitive as possible when they take on France, Italy and Brazil in the pool stages at the World Cup. Looking at how they are currently faring, there exists a realistic chance that they can progress past the pool stages. Unbeaten in Africa. United in purpose. The #BokWomen are Rugby Africa Cup champions for the fourth time 🏆#MakeItCount #ETTIG — SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) June 15, 2025 The Springbok Women recently returned from the Rugby Africa Women's Cup in Madagascar with an unbeaten record, achieved by a fairly inexperienced squad coached by September and Nhleko. They took 28 players, some of whom made their debut in Madagascar, and defeated all three of their opponents, so that is something to celebrate. On top of that, only four players in the match-day squad for the final game against the host nation had 15 or more caps behind their names. It shows that something is being done right in the Bok Women's camp, and if they can continue on this path, they'll see more success in the future. Twenty other players stayed behind for a camp with De Bruin and Johannes-Haupt, where they were fine-tuning their plans for two important Tests against Canada next month. The Canadians are ranked second in the world, so the Springbok Women could not have asked for stronger opponents to measure themselves against ahead of the tournament. They will know exactly where they stand in terms of competitiveness after the two matches that will act as openers for the men's Tests against Italy, on July 5 in Pretoria and July 12 in Gqeberha. The South Africans made proper plans for Canada over the last couple of months, so they should be able to string together some strong performances. Whatever happens this season, De Bruin and his assistants have ensured that women's rugby at the top level will be healthy going forward. They've embraced the example of Erasmus when it comes to broadening their player base, while winning on the international scene. That will stand them in good stead, not just at the World Cup, but also for what awaits on the international scene after the tournament.
IOL News
16-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Youthful Springbok Women's team came to the party in Madagascar's Africa Cup
The Springbok Women returned home on Monday relieved and proud that they executed their mandate in Madagascar at the 2025 Rugby Africa Women's Cup after wins over Uganda, Kenya and Madagascar. This resulted in another continental title and trophy for the South Africans. According to Springbok Women assistant coach Franzel September, the planning stages for this tournament were one thing, but the execution thereof was another and they are pleased that the young team delivered on several objectives planned. 'We came here with a clear view of what we wanted out of the tournament,' said September. 'It was part of our Rugby World Cup preparations, but we also wanted the players to express themselves out there. 'We decided to bring a number of uncapped players here but there was never any doubt about their talent and ability. They showed in the provincial competition that they can mix it with our current Springboks, and they did not disappoint. 'One of the players just came to thank the coaches with tears in her eyes for getting the opportunity to showcase her talent on the international stage. We gave them the opportunity, and they used it.' September said the moving parts came together nicely: 'I am also happy that we could integrate some of our sevens players into our system, they did well, while we also had eight players in the squad that played in the previous Rugby World Cup, and they needed match time in their legs as well. It was a successful trip for the programme.' Anathi Qolo, who captained the team to Madagascar, also praised the new players and said the fact that they won all three matches gave them confidence and a clear idea of what is needed in the green and gold. 'This was not an easy competition, make no mistake, the other teams tested us in many aspects of our play, and we had to work really hard as a team to achieve the desired results,' said Qolo. Reflecting on the 61-17 victory over Madagascar on Sunday, Qolo said: 'We executed the game plan well. We knew they would want to go wide all the time, so had a plan to bring them back to our pack and it worked well. 'Overall, it was a success. We came to win, and we leave undefeated, so it was a successful mission.'
