Springbok Women ready to finish WXV tour on high note

A strong finish to their European tour is top of the agenda for the Springbok Women when they face Spain Women in the WXV Global Series in Seville on Sunday and according to SA captain Babalwa Latsha, that is exactly what they plan to do.

Latsha spoke after the team completed their on-field preparations for the Test at Estadio Olímpico de la Cartuja and said a strong finish is important.

“We want to end the European leg of the tour well and tomorrow presents us with that opportunity,” said Latsha.

“We have two more Tests (against Ireland) in Cape Town to close out the season, so getting home with good momentum on our side will be great.”

Despite having won their last six matches against Spain, the Bok Women will not underestimate their hosts: “We always respect our opponents, we respect the game and we respect the WXV competition. We are looking forward to a good contest tomorrow. We have played Spain several times and tomorrow will present a different challenge.”

The Bok Women captain was pleased with their final session, the traditional captain’s run the day before the match.

“We had a really good week of preparation,” she said.

“The team is in a good space and there is good understanding of what we need to do in the different areas of the game. We just needed to confirm the clarity during this captain's run and that was done.”

The return to Spain always brings a smile to Latsha’s face, as she played for Spanish club Eibar a few seasons ago: “This is where I started my professional career, so it holds special memories. It is also good to come back here to this beautiful country and see some familiar faces.”

The match will also hold a special memory for wing Patience Mokone, who has been included in the starting team for the first time on tour. She played off the bench against Wales in the tour opener but was not in the match-23 against Italy last week.

Mokone, who scored 15 tries in nine tournaments for the Springbok Women’s Sevens, was in Spain five months ago where one of the three legs of the HSBC SVNS World Championship was played in Valladolid and said she is delighted to return, this time with the Springbok Women.

“It is great to be back, I really enjoyed the time with the sevens last time around but this is a different game and a different challenge,” said Mokone.

“To be starting is great but I can honestly say that everyone is contributing to the team effort. Whether you start, are on the bench or is non-playing, we all work together to prepare the team the best we can for every Test match.”

Mokone returned to fifteens rugby when the Bok Women toured Fiji and she immediately hit the ground running: “It was nice to play fifteens again, I am privileged to be able to play in both systems and I slotted back in nicely in Fiji. This tour was also good for me, we have a strong group here and we are determined to finish well.”

Mokone will be playing in her seventh Test on Sunday and said her aim is to serve the team to the best of her ability.

“It is great to be on the field as one can contribute in a direct way, and I hope to deliver my bit tomorrow,” she said.

“I hope to serve the team to the best of my ability. I played against Spain in sevens but not yet in fifteens, so I am looking forward to that challenge.”

Knowing that she is representing South Africa and young fans will be enough motivation for her to leave nothing on the field: “We want to inspire the next generation and group of players. We want girls to watch us play and take up the game as well. That is what will motivate me tomorrow, knowing that young people at clubs around the country will be watching.”

Springbok Women starting XV: 15 Jakkie Cilliers, 14 Alichia Arries, 13 Maceala Samboya, 12 Shiniqwa Lamprecht, 11 Patience Mokone; 10 Byrhandré Dolf, 9 Unam Tose; 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Lerato Makua, 6 Sizophila Solontsi; 5 Catha Jacobs, 4 Vainah Ubisi; 3 Babalwa Latsha (capt), 2 Anushka Groenewald, 1 Xoliswa Khuzwayo. Replacements: 16 Lindelwa Gwala, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Danelle Lochner, 20 Logan Welman, 21 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 22 Felicia Jacobs, 23 Mary Zulu.

Spain v South Africa - Sunday @ Estadio Olímpico de la Cartuja, Seville (12pm)

Referee: Bérénice Loubet (FFR)

Assistant referees: Alexandra Ferre (FFR), Maria Latos (DRV)

TMO: Finlay Brown (SRU)

TV: SuperSport