Springbok Women are World Cup bound

The Springbok Women successfully defended their title as African champions, but they were made to work very hard for a 46-17 victory over a never-say-die Madagascar side at Stade Makis in Antananarivo on Sunday afternoon.

SPRINGBOK WOMEN LOCK IN WORLD CUP PARTICIPATION

With the victory in the last match of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, the Springbok Women also booked their place at next year’s Rugby World Cup in England, as well as the WXV 2 tournament, which will be hosted in South Africa in a few months’ time.

However, they hardly had things their own way against the passionate home team, who deserve credit for their defence and the way in which they disrupted the South Africans’ rhythm, as well as their positive approach with ball in hand.

The Springbok Women endured an up and down first half, and although they scored five tries before the break, the Malagasy also showed some enterprise on attack and tested the South Africans’ defence.

But the South Africa pulled away in the second half to complete a blowout victory that set them on the path to the Women’s Rugby World Cup.

WINNING TEAM = HAPPY COACH

Springbok Women head coach Louis Koen applauded his troops for their structured approach in their all-important final match of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup on Sunday.

“We have a big number of regulars not here at this tournament and it is credit to those less experienced players who stepped up here in Madagascar and made sure we are going to England next year.

“Qualifying for the Rugby World Cup is a massive boost to all involved and I can only thank the stakeholders, players and management who walked this journey together. The game can only grow and improve from here.”

Springbok Women team captain , Nolusindiso Booi, agreed with Koen: “We play to inspire the next girl or woman to pick up a rugby ball and I think this win and qualifying for the Rugby World Cup will mean so much to those who want to see the game grow.

“We are on the big stage and belong there, so the next steps are important. We laid the foundation for the next phase and it is so exciting to be part of it. Credit to the players, but so much praise must go to the coaches who prepared us so well for this.”

The Springbok Women will arrive in South Africa on Monday and the players will return to their provinces for the Women’s Premier Division.