The Springbok Women have settled into camp in Cardiff ahead of Friday's WXV Global Series opener against Wales at Cardiff Arms Park, completing their first training run at Cardiff Metropolitan University on Monday after arriving from Cape Town on Sunday evening via Dubai.
Co-coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt described the session as productive despite some players carrying the effects of the long-haul travel. Match simulation and role clarity were the primary focus, with the squad training through wind and rain — conditions Johannes-Haupt says they will simply have to embrace given the forecast for the week.
"We have an opportunity to take on a class team like Wales and that is something we will be embracing this week," she said. "Wales is also a forward-dominating team, like us, so it will be an interesting match-up."
South Africa have not beaten Wales since 2010 and have won just two of their six meetings. The two sides last met in 2021.
The squad departed Cape Town with one late change: Anacadia Minnaar was unable to travel, with Felicia Jacobs called up as replacement. Jacobs, who made her Test debut against Wales in Cardiff in 2019 and toured Fiji with the squad last month, slotted straight into the session. Johannes-Haupt expressed confidence in the replacement, noting Jacobs has been integrated into the squad throughout the season.
The team to face Wales will be named on Wednesday.