Booi backs Springbok Women to conjure big performance in World Cup quarter-final against Black Ferns

Not many people appreciate the meticulous planning, dedication, and practice that goes into a magician pulling off a seemingly effortless illusion, but the fact is, before that ‘wow’ moment comes countless hours of preparation, repetition, and refinement.”

So what looks easy, is actually the result of a lot of grit and grind.

And grit and grind – lots of it – is what has gone into the preparation of the Springbok Women as they get set to face the Black Ferns at the Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand in Exeter on Saturday.

Boks will give no quarter

The truth is, according to Bok Women’s captain Nolusindiso Booi there is just no way on earth that the Springbok Women will simply roll over in this clash, especially after fighting the odds, training for hours and hours, and spending months away from family and friends.

The South Africans completed their preparations for their first RWC play-off, against the defending champions, the Black Ferns, at Sandy Park on Saturday, and the mood in the camp was one of determination and laser focus.

Booi said the match would mark a special day in the history of South African rugby, but in addition to that, it will mark a special performance from her team as well.

“There is something special about this group – we come from different backgrounds and all of us have different stories on how rugby shaped our lives,” she said on Friday when practice had wrapped up.

“But one thing is pulling us together and making us work together with a smile and a common purpose, and that is what the Springbok Women’s jersey stand for. We will run onto that field tomorrow as one and no one is leaving anything out there.”

All or nothing for skipper

Booi has already indicated that this will be her last year of playing Test rugby and as such, she is treating every game as if it is the last one she will play in the green and gold.

“So for me, it is easy to get motivated and leave it all out there as I know it could be the last one ever, and I don’t want to regret that I did not empty the tank,” she said.

“For the rest of the team, the motivation might be different, but the effort will stay the same for all of us. This is the moment we worked for, and we owe it to ourselves, our supporters, our sponsors and everyone who invested time, effort and money into this team, to go out there guns blazing. If we come up short but we gave it all, even then it will be worth it.”

Booi said that the South Africans were under no illusions as to the Black Ferns’ reputation and record, which are well established and deserved, and she acknowledged that the Springbok Women are going to Sandy Park as the underdogs.

The other bookend for Booi

The only time the two teams ever played on this stage was in 2010 when the World Cup was held in England as well, with the Black Ferns winning 55-5 in Guildford. Booi played in that match, coming off the bench in what was the start of a record-breaking career.

“Yes, it could be my last match against them as well, but hopefully not,” she said. “We did not come this far just to participate tomorrow. We did not work this hard to just come and play. Winning is the only thing in our minds right now.

“We have seen that if we put our minds and bodies together as a team, beautiful things can happen.”

And who knows, with all the meticulous planning, dedication and hours of practice, the Bok Women may yet pull a rabbit out of the hat on Saturday.

Match information:

Venue: Sandy Park, Exeter

SA time: 2pm

Referee: Sara Cox (England)

Assistant referees: Ella Goldsmith (Australia), Kat Roche (USA)

TMO: Rachel Horton (RA)

Bunker: Matteo Liperini (Italy)

TV: SuperSport