Springbok Women target record ranking with historic Black Ferns clash at FNB Stadium

The Springbok Women face the Black Ferns in a once-off Test at FNB Stadium on Saturday — the first meeting between the sides on South African soil and the first time the Springbok Women have played at the venue — kicking off at 13h30 as the first match of a double header ahead of the Springboks vs All Blacks.

A victory over second-ranked New Zealand would lift South Africa three places to seventh in the World Rugby rankings, a record high. A winning margin exceeding 15 points would add a further place.

Captain Babalwa Latsha says the team's plan centres on set-piece dominance and direct, physical play. "We have a plan and that includes being direct and physical and playing to our strengths, which is a very strong set piece," said Latsha. "They are a very skilful team and will no doubt try to get around us, while the direct route is our preferred option."

Vice-captain Libbie Janse van Rensburg pointed to the World Cup quarter-final in Exeter last September — when South Africa led 10-10 at half-time before conceding 36 unanswered points — as the primary reference point. "We did not maintain that composure in the second half and that allowed them to run away with it. We cannot afford just one half, we need to play equally well in both."

Janse van Rensburg framed the match within a broader trajectory: South Africa broke into the top 10 over the past two years and are now targeting the top five. "For that we need to play against teams in the top five. Tomorrow we are doing that."

Among the milestones in play: Janse van Rensburg can extend her Springbok Women Test points record of 221 (14 tries, 56 conversions, 12 penalties, 1 drop goal); Zintle Mpupha can add to her all-time Springbok Women try record of 20 in 31 Tests; and Byrhandré Dolf is set to reach 30 caps, becoming the 12th player in this match-23 to reach that mark.

Yonela Ngxingolo leads the squad in experience with 46 caps, while Latsha (43) is the most-capped tighthead prop in Springbok Women history and Lindelwa Gwala (40) the most-capped hooker.

The only previous meeting between the sides was a 55-3 Black Ferns victory in the 2010 Women's Rugby World Cup pool stages.

Referee: Zoe Naude. Assistant referees: Giana Viljoen, Angie Bezuidenhout. TMO: Quinton Immelman. Bunker: Christie du Preez. Live on SuperSport.