Bok Women ring the changes for Canada clash, with World Cup plans in mind

At times, decisions in the short term don’t make sense, especially when it appears that the best-laid plans have failed.

It’s, however, at such times that one, especially when you’re being assured by a wise old head that things are going according to plan, needs to trust the process.

IOL Sport’s Jehran Naidoo reports that it seems that this is exactly what Springboks Women Performance coach Swys de Bruin is telling his charges; something along the lines of, don’t let what’s happening now fluster you, this is all for a bigger purpose.

In fact, De Bruin hinted at this when he said that the first Test against Canada in Pretoria and the one taking place in Gqeberha are just pieces of a larger puzzle that seems to be falling into place.

“We got good pictures out of the first Test,” said De Bruin. “And this weekend here in Gqeberha, we know we will learn more. The focus is solely on us, and trying out new combinations this weekend is all part of the broader picture.”

Wholesale changes and positional shifts

This should calm any panic in the camp, especially with the wholesale changes and positional shifts that will be a feature of the Bok Women on Saturday.

How many changes? Well, De Bruin has moved Byrhandré Dolf and Eloise Webb from the bench into the starting line-up for Saturday’s Test.

Dolf will be playing at fullback and Webb will assume the flyhalf role for the second Test, which kicks off at 1.30 pm at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. 

It will be the first time both players will play in those positions.

If eyebrows were raised by those wondering what Nadine Roos did wrong at the back, the answer is nothing at all.

In a surprise move, Roos will play at scrumhalf instead of fullback. This should not set off any alarm bells as the “blonde Bugatti” has proven to be a versatile player, successfully turning out for the Sevens team on occasion. 

Elsewhere in the backline, Libbie Janse van Rensburg will play inside centre after starting at flyhalf in Pretoria.

In the engine room, Catha Jacobs will pack down on the side of the scrum, while the Canadian front row will see the same faces in the Springbok front five at scrum time for this Test. 

Meanwhile, though it’s obvious that the Bok Women will be hoping to redeem themselves after that 50-20 Loftus hiding last week at the hands of the Canadians, maybe that ambition should play second fiddle to building for a much bigger, more grand stage.

Tweaking strategies and combinations

De Bruin made it clear that they will be using Saturday’s game to tweak strategies and combinations with their eye on later this year when the 2025 Rugby World Cup kicks off in England. 

“These two Test matches against Canada and the two encounters against the Black Ferns XV at the end of the month were requested to provide high-calibre opposition and for our squad to experience the pressures of playing the top players in the world,” De Bruin said.

What should also work in the Bok Women’s favour is the fact that they are probably going to be playing in front of some passionate fans, given that they are expecting a big crowd, given that 10 of the players in the team are from the Eastern Cape.

Look, against a well-drilled, powerful, and confident team like Canada, bringing experimental combinations to the party could be a recipe for disaster … but that, according to De Bruin, will be a short-term issue. 

The bigger picture, it would appear, has taken that possibility into account.

“We have this opportunity now to try new things, so we want to use those before the Rugby World Cup starts. We have also tweaked some tactical plays, and I can honestly say that I am very, very excited about the weekend." De Bruin said.

Springbok Women's team to face Canada in Gqeberha:

Springbok Women (15-1): Byrhandré Dolf, Jakkie Cilliers, Zintle Mpupha, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Ayanda Malinga, Eloise Webb, Nadine Roos, Aseza Hele, Catha Jacobs, Sizophila Solontsi, Danelle Lochner, Nolusindiso Booi (captain), Babalwa Latsha, Micke Gunter, Sanelisiwe Charlie.

Replacements (16-23): Luchell Hanekom, Yonela Ngxingolo, Azisa Mkiva, Nomsa Mokwai, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Lerato Makua, Unam Tose, Chumisa Qawe.