With 10 days to go to the start of the third IRB-sanctioned Women’s Rugby World Cup, South African coach David Dobela is quietly confident that his team will be able to ruffle a few feathers.
Speaking today from Pretoria, Dobela said: “Yes, we’re feeling good, I’m very confident that we will do well, we’ll compete well.
“South Africa will be rated as underdogs, as we’re seeded 11th out of 12 participating teams, many will view us as a wild-card entry,” said Dobela.
Things may however not be that simple. South Africa has not previously played against Australia, their first competition, and the following two matches prior to the knock-out stage are against England and Ireland, where the game has been played for over a century.
But coach Dobela doesn’t seem intimidated, saying: ”We are very competitive, and we want to improve our ratings, we’re looking to break into the top 6 teams.
“We are playing in this tournament for the cup, we want to come back as champions, and with our underdog status, we will be able to surprise a few people,” said Dobela
Dobela’s determination may be well grounded. Since May 2005, when the Springboks conceded 101 points to England at Twickenham without scoring a point, things are looking on the up.
New Zealand’s Black Ferns are the defending champions after their 19-9 victory over England in the final of the 2002 Barcelona World Cup, and are favourably rated by some to win their third consecutive title next month.
Played every four years, the World Cup is women’s rugby’s most important spectacle, and IRB recognition has earned it media coverage and deserved recognition.
The Springbok women’s squad will be hosted by SARU President Oregan Hoskins at a gala farewell dinner on Wednesday, following which the team will fly out for Edmonton, Canada on Thursday.
Pool Stage Fixtures:
31/08/2006
New Zealand vs Canada
Spain vs Scotland
Kazakhstan vs Samoa
Australia vs South Africa
Ireland vs France
England vs USA
4/09/2006
New Zealand vs Samoa
Ireland vs USA
Kazakhstan vs Scotland
England vs South Africa
Australia vs France
Spain vs Canada
8/09/2006
Spain vs Samoa
Ireland vs South Africa
Kazakhstan vs Canada
Australia vs USA
England vs France
New Zealand vs Scotland
Full Squad:
1 Wendy Adlem
2 Nadine Barnard
3 Saloma Zaneen Booysen
4 Ingrid Botha
5 Ramona Brown
6 Louise Du Pisanie
7 Marie-Lee Michelle Erasmus
8 Natasha Yolanda Hofmeester
9 Sipokazi Patricia Jonga
10 Nelisiwe Wendy Khumalo
11 Cebisa Kula
12 Yolandi Marais
13 Dolly Mavumengwana
14 Yolanda Meiring
15 Lamla Momoti
16 Marijke Jose Nel
17 Zandile Nojoko
18 Zolisa Noxeke
19 Fundiswa Plaatjie
20 Magdalene Alice Pylman
21 Marie Schoeman
22 Namhla Vannesa Siyolo
23 Nomsa Tendekwana
24 Nomsebenzi Agnes Tsotsobe
25 Babalwa Vena
26 Mandisa Williams
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