Bok Women aim for more improvement as Wales awaits

The Springbok Women will take nothing for granted when they face Wales at Cardiff Arms Park on Friday evening and are solely focussed on delivering their best effort of the season.

That is the view of SA captain Babalwa Latsha as the Springbok Women get their WXV Global Series campaign underway in the Welsh capital against an opponent that seems to be struggling with form at the moment.

“Not so,” says Latsha, who is yet to taste victory against Wales, having lost both times she played against the Welsh in Cardiff.

“We know from ourselves, a wounded team is a dangerous team. Yes, Wales might not have won in recent matches but we are also coming off a loss against the Black Ferns.

“I know how that stung us but now it motivates us and I would think the same mood would be present in the Welsh camp.”

As a tighthead prop, Latsha revels in the forward battles and says they are looking forward to that aspect of the game on Friday evening but she knows that the Welsh set piece is their pride and joy as well.

“It will be a clash of simliar styles,” said Latsha.

“We love the set-piece and get a lot of reward from our scrums and mauls and tomorrow we will push for the same outcomes. We are well aware though that the Welsh are also strong in that area, so I am expecting a fierce battle up front.”

Latsha insisted that despite the stumble against the Black Ferns, they are improving as a team: “The WXV Global Series is finally here, this is what all the top teams have been building towards. So we can expect a wonderful showcase of the best of women’s rugby and we hope to be part of those highlights come Friday.”

The execution of their game plan holds key for the South Africans, she said.

“We have a particular plan and a way we want to go about our business this weekend and how to counter the expected kicking game of Wales,” she said.

“Application will be key and if we are consistent in our efforts, we will lay down a marker. We want to leave Cardiff with a win and get the WXV underway with a solid performance.”

Latsha was also pleased with the detail achieved in the captains run earlier on Thursday: “There was a sharp focus on what we want to do when and that gave me confidence that we will be on top it tomorrow. We can’t wait to go out and showcase our talent.”

Head-to-Head: Springbok Women v Wales

29/05/2004: Lost 8-5, Port Elizabeth

05/06/2004: Lost 16-15, Pretoria

30/04/2005: Won 24-9, Ebbw Vale

24/08/2010: Won 15-10, Guildford (2010 Women's World Cup)

05/09/2010: Lost 29-17, Guildford (2010 Women's World Cup)

09/08/2014: Lost 35-3, Paris (2014 Women's World Cup)

10/11/2018: Lost 19-5, Cardiff

13/11/2021: Lost 29-19, Cardiff

Wales Women starting XV: 15 Lisa Neumann, 14 Seren Singleton, 13 Courtney Keight, 12 Freya Bell, 11 Amy Williams; 10 Keira Bevan, 9 Seren Lockwood; 8 Bryonie King, 7 Alex Callender (co-capt), 6 Kate Williams (co-capt); 5 Georgia Evans, 4 Branwen Metcalfe; 3 Sisilia Tuipulotu, 2 Kelsey Jones, 1 Maisie Davies. Replacements: 16 Shanelle Williams, 17 Gwenllian Pyrs, 18 Elan Jones, 19 Gwen Crabb, 20 Jorja Aiono, 21 Alisha Joyce, 22 Lleucu George, 23 Jenna De Vera.

Springbok Women starting XV: 15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Maria Tshiremba, 13 Maceala Samboya, 12 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 11 Ayanda Malinga; 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Felicia Jacobs; 8 Logan Welman, 7 Catha Jacobs, 6 Sizophila Solontsi; 5 Danelle Lochner, 4 Vainah Ubisi; 3 Babalwa Latsha (capt), 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie. Replacements: 16 Micke Gunter, 17 Xoliswa Khuzwayo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Aseza Hele, 21 Sinelitha Noxeke, 22 Jakkie Cilliers, 23 Patience Mokone.

Wales v South Africa - Friday @ Cardiff Arms Park (8.15pm SAST)

Referee: Ella Goldsmith (RA)

Assistant Referee 1: Ruairidh Campbell (SRU)

Assistant Referee 2: Rebecca Piddlesden (RFU)

TMO: Stefano Penne (FIR)

FPRO: Paul Haycock (IRFU)

Broadcast: SuperSport