Saturday's Test between the Springbok Women and the USA Eagles in Johannesburg will be the first between the two countries on South African soil, and assistant coach Franzel September acknowledges the visitors arrive with a meaningful competitive edge — but believes the squad's training intensity over recent weeks can counter it.
The Bok Women have not faced a top-20 opponent since the Women's Rugby World Cup in England last September. In contrast, the USA contested the Pacific Four Series against New Zealand, Canada and Australia earlier this year. September is direct about the disparity but unfazed by it.
"Yes, they played at a high level and we did not, but having said that, we tried to push the intensity at our training sessions in recent weeks to emulate that of what one can expect in test matches," he said after Monday's session at St. Johns College in Houghton. "We will be ready for them, should they want to engage in a fast and flowing match."
Cohesion has come quickly. Twenty-two of the 30 players in camp were part of the RWC squad in England, and September says the group found its rhythm without difficulty. The session focused on communication and the team's core principles, with head coach Swys de Bruin expected to introduce new elements as the week progresses.
The squad arrives from varied recent campaigns — the Pick n Pay Women's Super League, overseas club rugby and the Springbok Women's Sevens circuit — and September says aligning everyone to the same competitive tempo was the primary task of the opening days. He is satisfied with progress.
The Bok Women also successfully defended their Rugby Africa Women's Cup in Kenya ahead of this Test window.
On kicking duties, Byrhandré Dolf — who set a Springbok Women's RWC record of 27 points in England, including 12 conversions and a penalty — is unlikely to take on the primary kicking role this weekend. Her HSBC SVNS World Championship commitments in Hong Kong, Valladolid and Bordeaux kept her away from the kicking tee for extended periods, and she is candid about the rust.
The role falls to Libbie Janse van Rensburg and Jakkie Cilliers, both in strong form. Janse van Rensburg has accumulated 55 conversions, 12 penalty goals and a drop goal across 30 Tests; Cilliers has landed 38 conversions and six penalty goals in 24 Tests.
Dolf is nonetheless eager to make her mark in other ways, crediting her sevens stint with sharpening her footwork and acceleration. She covered 293 metres during the RWC — the most of any player in the tournament — and believes the elusiveness developed on the sevens circuit will translate directly into her fifteens game.
Kickoff at Ellis Park is at 13h30, with Dolf urging supporters to be in their seats early.