Springbok Women’s ‘forwards family’ ready to make history at World Cup

Springbok Women scrum coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt recently admitted that it was an emotional time for her to return to a Women's Rugby World Cup in England, where she represented the Springbok Women back in 2010.

The 2010 squad won matches against Wales and Kazakhstan, but according to Johannes-Haupt, the expectation of a potential top-eight finish was far off back then.

“Back in 2010, we could not anticipate that, so it is really great to be here and experience this moment with this team,” she said.

“The class of 2010 are proud, I know I speak for all of them, although the job is only starting on Sunday. We have a massive responsibility to take this team to a status they never had.”

And because of the groundwork and the dream of 2010, the Springbok Women’s pack of forwards came to the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup with a clear objective and that desire – to be rated amongst the best of the best.

This desire will be a massive driving force in their Pool D performances against Brazil, Italy and France over the next three weekends.

Johannes-Haupt said there is a firm belief in the current squad that they can provide the ammunition needed for South Africa to achieve a best-ever performance at the Rugby World Cup, where the Bok Women have won only three of their 18 matches to date, something the coach said has to change.

A proper machine

“This pack is a proper machine, and I can confidently say that we rank up there with the best in the tournament,” said Johannes-Haupt.

“They have come a long way, improving all the time, but I have to say, the growth over the last season or so has been really impressive. They are so powerful, without them even realising it at times.

“Our set piece is going to dominate, and I put it out there, so strong is my belief in our players. I think we're amongst the top three at this tournament.”

Johannes-Haupt said that the comparison between her team and the current team is marked. “This is such a huge moment for me to now see where we are as a team and what that road looked like from 2010.

“It is so fulfilling to see how these players are living the dream we had way back. I am so proud of the way they carry themselves as Springbok Women and how proud they are of playing here, representing us.”

More than a team … a family

The current crop of players has invested everything into this dream, and it shows. 

Experienced prop Babalwa Latsha said she is proud to call herself a Springbok Women's rugby player: “Rugby gave me an identity and a voice. In a way, becoming a rugby player liberated me as a person. I started playing rugby by chance, but the real answer to the question is why I kept playing rugby and am still doing that today.”

The fact that she was accepted despite her body shape made her feel welcome up to this day, Latsha said.

“Suddenly I was accepted for the way I looked and how I was built,” said Latsha, who will extend her record as the most capped prop in a Bok Women jersey at this Rugby World Cup.

“In fact, I was celebrated because I was strong and did not mind running over people. That gave me the confidence that I am indeed special, and from that day, my confidence grew, and I found a voice and space in life.”