Johannesburg – The Springbok Women are just hours away from returning to the World Cup for the first time since 2014; they had been absent since 2014.
After a lengthy break, the South Africans will open the World Cup against France in Auckland, New Zealand, at 3.30 a.m. on Saturday, and they are determined to prove they belong on the big stage.
“It is a huge relief that we can get back to playing at this level because this is where we want to be,” said captain Nolusindiso Booi, who will be participating in her third tournament after 2010 and 2014 competitions.
After the annual captain’s run the day before kickoff, Booi stated, “We want to play against the best teams in the biggest competitions, and they don’t get any larger than this.”
She said, “And Eden Park is a magnificent stadium steeped in history.” “The playing surface looks fantastic, and knowing that the stands will be packed on the first day of the season is a tremendous lift for the team.
“We desire to play before large crowds in large venues. This is a unique sensation, especially when I consider the (poor) standing of women’s rugby in South Africa when I played in 2010 and even 2014. “Women’s rugby is poised to erupt onto the international stage, and we are a part of it,” she said.
Booi stated that the team was bolstered by the goodwill received from everyone, but notably South Africans.
“We have received an abundance of well-wishes and messages of encouragement, which inspires us. We are ranked eleventh in the world and have never finished higher than tenth in a competition of this caliber. However, this is the most well-prepared team we have ever assembled. We are prepared, we have a solid core of players, and we are all eager to seize the chance.”
France will be difficult to defeat, as they have never lost to the Springbok Women in four previous meetings.
“The statistics will tell you one thing, but I know this team’s heart. We are here to demonstrate to everyone that we can also play this game and compete. We have a strategy against France, notwithstanding their prowess. We are not running out onto the field for no reason.”
The Springbok Women have gotten off to numerous sluggish starts in Tests this year, while France have been swift out of the gate in 2022, so if South Africa is not sharp from the get-go, things might soon deteriorate.
“Yes, it has been a challenge, but the way we trained, the enthusiasm and good spirits in the team, along with a clear vision of how to approach and execute this game gives me confidence that we will do South Africa proud on Saturday,” Booi added.