Springbok Women bank on altitude and attitude and experienced core against Canada

“Know the terrain, know the weather, and your victory will be complete” – that’s according to Chinese military general, strategist, and philosopher Sun Tzu.

And I am almost sure that this thought – or some form of this thinking – is swirling around in the minds of some of the Springbok Women players and staff as they prepare to host powerhouse Canada at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

Altitude will be the edge

Earlier this week, Springbok Women and Bulls Daisies goal-kicking specialist Jakkie Cilliers expressed a quiet confidence ahead of Saturday’s historic Test at Loftus, citing – guess what? – the familiar altitude, home crowd, as well as her renewed form with the boot as key advantages.

“Loftus isn’t an easy place to play if you’re unfamiliar with the altitude,” she explained. “It catches up with you quickly. We’re planning to use that to our advantage, especially since Canada has had to travel far and may not be as adjusted to it.”

But the Bok Women still have to turn up and play on the day, and they need to put their best team, and their best foot forward against the Canadians.

To that end, Zintle Mpupha and Micke Gunter will make starting returns to the Springbok Women team, with both facing the North Americans for the first time as well. Both last played for South Africa against Italy in WXV 2 in Cape Town – Mpupha last year, while Gunter’s last appearance in the No.2 jersey was in 2023, in the inaugural tournament.

The duo missed the four Tests the Springbok Women played this year, Mpupha due to her commitments with the Springbok Women’s Sevens team and Gunter due to injury.

Milestones and familiar faces

Mpupha, the team’s leading try scorer in Test matches, is one of several players who will have an opportunity to extend team records in the first clash between the two countries on South African soil.

Springbok Women performance coach Swys de Bruin, named the most capped player in their history, Nolusindiso Booi, to lead the Bok Women again in what will be her 51st Test match. Booi will also become the most experienced captain ever, leading the team onto the field for her 22nd time, having shared the record of 21 matches as captain with Mandisa Williams, who will be the team’s flag bearer on Saturday.

Tayla Kinsey will extend her record as most experienced scrumhalf to 40 Tests; Babalwa Latsha will extend her tally as most experienced prop to 35 Tests and Sinazo Mcatshulwa will earn her 37th cap as a loose forward.

Eight players in the starting line-up also ran out as starters the last time South Africa faced Canada, when the team from North America won 66-7 on 23 March 2023 in Madrid, Spain. They are Kinsey, Latsha, Booi, Jakkie Cilliers, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Aseza Hele, Danelle Lochner and Sanelisiwe Charlie. Mcatshulwa and Chumisa Qawe (centre) played off the bench in Madrid but will start in Pretoria this weekend.

Catha Jacobs, Yonela Ngxingolo and Byrhandré Dolf will get their second opportunity against Canada off the bench.

Canada bring form and firepower

De Bruin said this will be his team’s most challenging match in a while. “Canada are not only ranked second in the world, but they are also full of confidence after an undefeated run in the recent Pacific Four tournament,” said De Bruin.

“We need matches like these though as we get our final plans in place ahead of the Rugby World Cup that starts next month..."

The Bok Women coach said the experience in his own side will stand them in good stead: “We have a lot of players that are the most experienced in their positions and 17 of the match day squad played at the previous Rugby World Cup in New Zealand ... “We will be physical and direct and I want to think that the altitude and the support from the Loftus crowd will be added benefits..."

The hosts will also want to settle down quickly, and get points on the board early because as Sun Tzu also says, “Those who occupy the field of battle first and await their enemy are at ease; Those who come later and rush into battle will be weary.”

The Test is scheduled to kick off at 1.30pm, and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Springbok Women team to face Canada in Pretoria:

Springbok Women (15-1):  Nadine Roos, Jakkie Cilliers, Zintle Mpupha, Chumisa Qawe, Ayanda Malinga, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Tayla Kinsey, Aseza Hele, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Sizophila Solontsi, Danelle Lochner, Nolusindiso Booi (captain), Babalwa Latsha, Micke Gunter, Sanelisiwe Charlie. Replacements (16-23): Luchell Hanekom, Yonela Ngxingolo, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Nomsa Mokwai, Lerato Makua, Catha Jacobs, Byrhandré Dolf, Eloise Webb