Mcatshulwa: Physicality and skill needed in Exeter

For the most capped loose forward in Springbok Women history, actions count more than words and if you want to see how much a quarter-final place in the Women’s Rugby World Cup means to Sinazo Mcatshulwa and her teammates, make sure to watch them play on Saturday when they take on New Zealand’s Black Ferns at Sandy Park in Exeter.

That is the message from the 28-year-old flanker, who is hoping to earn a 42nd Test cap and add to her 12 tries in green and gold this weekend against New Zealand, a team she has not faced before. And for that matter, in a RWC quarter-final, another first for the South Africans.

“We have not been here before but that excites us rather than scares us,” said Mcatshulwa.

“We have played the Black Ferns XV back home a couple of weeks ago and that gave us an idea of their style and strengths but this New Zealand team obviously is something else.

“What we did see against the New Zealanders in Cape Town was that our physicality is tough to live with and that gives us confidence for the weekend.”

The Bok Women flanker, who has completed a stint in France playing for Métropole RC Villeneuvois in Lille, said she did not enjoy the result last weekend against France and would have liked joining the action earlier off the bench.

Against the Black Ferns, Mcatshulwa hopes to start in the No 7 jersey, like she did against Italy in an impressive performance that resulted in her scoring the match-winning try, apart from gaining 110m with 16 effective ball carries.

“The trick for the weekend will be to look to what we want to achieve and to go out there and enjoy it,” she said.

“We had a good couple of months of rugby and I know we are capable of playing with the best. The weekend’s game will also be about our pack’s ability to be very physical and then give our skilled backs the change to play. I believe we can do that.

“We have prepared well for this one and we have showed that we can play with the best. This is what this tournament is all about, proving that we belong.”

The Springbok Women will announce their match-23 for the quarter-final on Thursday.

Unfortunately, South Africa will have to face New Zealand without Chumisa Qawe, who was red carded against France following a Law 9.13 offence (dangerous tackle). The SA midfielder accepted that foul play occurred and the decision that the offence warranted a red card. That means a mandatory mid-range entry point of a six-match suspension. The committee decided to award full 50% mitigation resulting in a final sanction of three matches. This will be reduced to two on successful completion of the Coaching Intervention programme.

World Rugby announced on Tuesday that Sara Cox (England) will take charge of the Bok Women’s WRWC quarter-final. South Africa’s Aimee Barrett-Theron will referee the France v Ireland clash, while Hollie Davidson of Scotland (Canada v Australia) and Aurélie Groizeleau of France (England v Scotland) will officiate the other quarter-finals.

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, 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)