Springbok Women confident that power game can deliver against Italy

The Springbok Women were back on the training fields on Tuesday, shifting their focus entirely to Italy as they prepare for a crucial Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool D clash in England.

A win over the Italians at York Community Stadium on Sunday will secure the South Africans a top-two finish in the pool and guarantee a spot in the quarter-finals.

Assistant coach Franzel September was encouraged by what he saw from the squad during training at St John Community University in York.

“It was good to get back to zero again after the good win over Brazil on Sunday and the journey to York yesterday,” said September. “We started afresh today, with the sole focus for the next couple of days on our match against Italy and what we want out of it.

"We saw some good things from the Brazil game and celebrated that victory, but that is in the past now. Italy is all that matters.”

The Bok Women impressed in their set pieces against Brazil, stealing four lineouts, and September believes their forward dominance will be key again this weekend.

“They had some issues in the France match, but they have time to fix it,” he said of Italy’s set-piece struggles. “We would have wanted them to be off the pace against us, but I doubt that will be the case, as that will be a definite work-on for them in the week.”

September emphasised the importance of starting each World Cup match with renewed focus.

“In any World Cup you have to close the chapter after each game and start a new one with a different focus,” he explained. “The 10-try win gave us momentum, but we are mindful that we need to start afresh against Italy. They are a very experienced side with a very good kicking game, so they will challenge us in different ways to what Brazil did.

"We pride ourselves on our set piece, and I believe our power game will deliver the result we want this weekend.”

The Bok Women have faced Italy twice in recent years, both in WXV 2 tournaments in Cape Town. Italy won 36-18 in 2023 but were pushed much closer in 2024, winning only 23-19. September believes the improvement is a sign of what’s to come.

“We are well prepared, have good momentum and the team has some self-belief that this will be our very best World Cup ever. It is all in our hands,” he said.

The team for Sunday’s match will be announced on Friday. Byrhandrѐ Dolf missed Tuesday’s training session with a calf strain but is expected to be fit for selection.