Johannes-Haupt: Bok Women will show up and represent

The Springbok Women have already received their primary objective – to reach the quarter-finals of the Women's Rugby World Cup in England – and will go into their play-off against New Zealand's Black Ferns at Sandy Park on Saturday with no fear of failure.

Instead, said Bok Women assistant coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt, it will be a celebration of their journey and with a determined mindset to add even more milestones to their list of achievements.

“That will in fact make the job easier for the players to just focus on the job at hand,” said Johannes-Haupt.

“We do not need to worry about anything else; we can just go out and play and make sure we stick to our processes. We have a plan for this match and prepared well – there is no way that we will just roll over because we are playing against a team that have won this tournament six times already.”

The Black Ferns deserve the credit and accolades that are coming their way but as in life, there are two sides to a story or in this case, two teams on the field and such is the passion for the Springbok jersey that they will refuse to go away on Saturday, according to Johannes-Haupt.

“Our se- piece has been working well in recent encounters against teams like Canada, Italy and the Black Ferns XV and for the scrum coach, that is a good foundation in taking on the third ranked team in the world,” she said.

“We pride ourselves on our set piece, that is no secret and will try and get New Zealand to play on our terms for as long as possible.

“If we can force them to play in our strong areas, we will have a realistic chance. Obviously, they would want to do the opposite and play with freedom out wide where their skilled backs have scored some good tries in this tournament, so it will be a clash of styles for sure.”

The SA coach played against New Zealand in the Women's Rugby World Cup in England in 2010 and said the full circle moment for her is a special feeling.

“What makes me most proud of this full circle is to see where we are now, how much we have grown and more specially, how much our group have progressed over the last couple of seasons,” she said.

“Here we are, ready to play the biggest game of our lives and the players cannot wait to go out and play and do their best. That is very rewarding for me, firstly as an ex-player but also as a coach.”

Ultimately, Johannes-Haupt concluded, the Springbok Women will step away from this tournament with a massive boost of belief and confidence, irrespective of the result on Saturday.

“Look at our year – we played the No 2 and four teams in the world and on Saturday, we play the third ranked side and defending World Cup champions,” she said.

“What more can you ask for in a season where those matches were all critical in our development. That has been huge for us and 2025 has already been a watershed year for the Springbok Women.

“We have the opportunity to make it even more special and believe me, we will show up and represent everyone who backed us, those who are new supporters and we will represent South Africa with everything we have.”

Bok Women flanker Sizophila Solontsi added that the journey started at the previous Rugby World Cup already.

“We’ve been working for this since the previous World Cup which didn’t go our way and now, we are amongst the top eight in the world,” said Solontsi.

“Seeing all those outcomes now is a humbling rollercoaster of emotions for us but one we are proud of.”

On the Black Ferns’ standing, Solontsi said they have a pragmatic approach: “We can’t hide away from the fact they’re ranked No 3. Earlier we played Canada, they are No 2. Those are the games we want, so that is fine, those are good pressures.

“The difference is that this is a knockout game with everything to lose. So, it is not about the team we’re playing against; it’s more about the knockout stage but that shouldn't affect us much because we’ve worked for this.”

Solontsi said they don't mind being written off even before the start of the match.

“I prefer being an underdog going into a match,” she said. “That status does not take away from our ability to play rugby and it’s anyone’s game.”

Springbok Women 2025 Rugby World Cup squad

Props: Sanelisiwe Charlie, Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Yonela Ngxingolo, Babalwa Latsha, Nombuyekezo Mdliki.

Hookers: Micke Gunter, Lindelwa Gwala, Luchell Hanekom.

Locks: Nolusindiso Booi (captain), Danelle Lochner, Nomsa Mokwai, Anathi Qolo, Vainah Ubisi.

Utility and loose forwards: Aseza Hele, Catha Jacobs, Lerato Makua, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Sizophila Solontsi, Faith Tshauke.

Scrumhalves: Unam Tose, Tayla Kinsey.

Flyhalves: Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Mary Zulu.

Centres: Zintle Mpupha, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Chumisa Qawe, Eloise Webb.

Outside backs: Jakkie Cilliers, Ayanda Malinga, Maceala Samboya.

Utility backs: Byrhandré Dolf, Nadine Roos.

Pool D schedule (SA times)

Sunday 24 August

3.45pm: SA v Brazil (Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton) - SA won 66-6

Sunday 31 August

4.30pm: SA v Italy (York Community Stadium, York) - SA won 29-24

Sunday 7 September

5.45pm: SA v France (Franklin’s Gardens, Northampton) - France won 57-10

Quarter-final 1: New Zealand v South Africa - Sandy Park at 1pm on Saturday (local time)

Quarter-final 2: Canada v Australia - Ashton Gate at 4pm on Saturday (local time)

Quarter-final 3: France v Ireland - Sandy Park at 1pm on Sunday (local time)

Quarter-final 4: England v Scotland - Ashton Gate at 4pm on Sunday (local time)

The Rugby World Cup quarter-finals will be played on the weekend of 13/14 September, with the semi-finals on 19/20 September and the final on Saturday, 27 September.

Team Management

Swys de Bruin (head coach)

Laurian Johannes-Haupt (assistant coach)

Bafana Nhleko (assistant coach)

Franzel September (assistant coach)

Naasier Parker (strength and conditioning coach)

Zenay Jordaan (World Rugby Gallagher High Performance Academy coach)

Moshe Magethi (team doctor)

Neda Isaacs (physiotherapist)

Lezane Ward (physiotherapist)

Thandiswa Nxomani (team manager)

JJ Harmse (media manager)

Zwonaka Mbedzi (analyst)

Thembisa Nxopo (operations)