The Springbok Women’s national rugby team have officially launched “Operation Spain” following their safe arrival in Alicante on Sunday after completing the French leg of their European tour. Springbok women coach Swys de Bruin is seen here alongside Nadine Roos and Aseza Hele.
Image: Henk Kruger Independent Media
The Springbok Women’s national rugby team have officially launched “Operation Spain” following their safe arrival in Alicante on Sunday after completing the French leg of their European tour. With their eyes firmly set on their next challenge, the South African side got straight to work on Monday with a high-intensity training session as they prepare to face Spain in a Test match on Saturday, April 19, at Campo de Rugby Amorós Palao in Elche.
Performance coach Swys de Bruin confirmed that the mood in camp is upbeat and focused, describing the opening day of preparations as “productive” and filled with “energy and clarity”. The team has wasted no time in shifting their attention from last weekend’s successes in Marcoussis, France, to the pressing task of facing a familiar foe.
“You could feel the buzz at breakfast already this morning – everyone is keen to go, and the players are clearly excited for this week,” said De Bruin.
“Since we arrived and started with our team meetings and now training, all the focus is on Spain and their strengths and weaknesses. We left what happened in Marcoussis – good as it was – behind in France and came to Spain with this Test match in mind.”
South Africa and Spain have established a competitive rivalry in recent years, having clashed seven times since 2019. The Bok Women won the last two encounters, including a 36-19 victory at DHL Stadium in Cape Town in September 2024. Despite this, De Bruin insists past results count for little on the Test stage.
“Conditions will be different, the venue will be different, and players change, so the main focus for us on Saturday will be effort and execution,” he said.
“They had some additions to their squad since we last played, so we are expecting some changes from their side, but then, we are also looking for improvement and tweaks in certain areas. One thing that I have learnt in Test rugby is that the previous game does not really count for the next one.”
With both teams currently neck-and-neck in the World Rugby rankings, the South African coaching staff are placing a premium on precision and intensity in the lead-up to the match. De Bruin emphasised that urgency in training will be key to winning the small margins.
“We need to make sure we get the 50/50s going our way,” he said. “The girls want to go out and play, and if we can do that in a clinical way, we will all be smiling at the end of the match.”
He also acknowledged that this Test carries more weight than just bragging rights — it is an important milestone for both teams in their build-up to the 2025 Rugby World Cup. With squad positions still up for grabs, Saturday’s match could shape the final selections for the tournament later this year.
“It will be a new match with fresh challenges,” De Bruin added. “Like our players, the Spain team will also play to cement their positions in their Rugby World Cup squad, so this match will have its own merits.”
17 August 2014 (Paris): Spain 36-0 South Africa
17 November 2018 (Villajoyosa): Spain 17-5 South Africa
21 September 2019 (Despatch): South Africa 12-29 Spain
13 August 2022 (Johannesburg): South Africa 44-5 Spain
19 August 2022 (Potchefstroom): South Africa 37-14 Spain
1 April 2023 (Madrid): South Africa 35-20 Spain
23 March 2024 (Valladolid): South Africa 15-13 Spain
19 September 2024 (Cape Town): South Africa 36-19 Spain
The Springbok Women will continue their preparations throughout the week, fine-tuning combinations and strategies ahead of Saturday’s highly anticipated clash. Kick-off is set for 6.30pm (local time) in Elche.
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