Women’s bok coach Lawrence Sephaka on Saturday retained the core of the team that registered a victory against Samoa on Wednesday, while naming scrumhalf Siphosethu Tshingana on the bench, meaning the talented player could make her Springbok Women’s debut on Sunday in the team’s final Women’s Rugby World Cup clash against Spain.
The starting team showing four personnel changes and a few positional switches.
Outside centre Veroeshka Grain, flank Vuyolwethu Vazi, lock Nolusindiso Booi and hooker Thantaswa Macingwana were all named in the starting line-up after starting on the bench against Samoa.
The positional switches, meanwhile, were at fullback where Zandile Nojoko replaces Cindy Cant, flyhalf where Zenay Jordaan switches from outside centre, and lock where Nomaphelo Mayongo switches from No5 to No4. The loose trio was also reshuffled with Shona-Leah Weston starting at No8 and Lamla Momoti at flank.
Meanwhile, scrumhalf Fundiswa Plaatjie on Friday said her team was determined to finish off the Women’s Rugby World Cup on a high note against Spain on Sunday, following their morale-boosting victory against Samoa.
The team will face Spain in the ninth and tenth place play-off at the French Rugby Federation in Marcoussis at 14h00, and should they win the clash, they will record their best finish since their first appearance in the 2006 Women’s Rugby World Cup. South Africa finished 10th in the 2010 World Cup.
With several bumps and bruises after playing four physical clashes in the last 15 days, Plaatjie admitted that her team had to show immense character to secure a victory.
“There are a few players carrying injuries and the bodies are sore after a few physically-taxing weeks, but the team spirit is good and the players realise the importance of finishing the tournament with a win,” said Plaatjie.
“That said, Spain is a quality side and they proved that by thumping Samoa 41-5, so we need to be up for the challenge both mentally and physically.
“They are particularly good at stringing together phases and their defence is solid, so we will need to match them physically and capitalise on our point-scoring chances to win.”
Discussing his selection for Sunday, Sephaka said the selections for this Test were based on performance throughout the competition, while he also placed a big emphasis on choosing players in their most effective positions.
“Spain are tough contenders and they proved that against Samoa and Kazakhstan, so we have to be at our best to beat them,” said Sephaka.
“One of our main selection was to choose players who have shown solid form throughout the World Cup, while we also tried to select players in positions in which they would be effective against Spain, hence the positional switches. Hopefully this will allow us to deliver a solid performance, so we can finish the tournament strongly.
“We may have failed in our mission to finish in the top eight, but we can still salvage something from this World Cup if we win our last match, as it would guarantee us our best finish in the Women’s Rugby World Cup up to now.”
Sephaka was pleased for Tshingana and said if she made her debut it would be a just reward for her hard work at training and positive attitude throughout the tour.
“Siphosethu has been working hard since the beginning of the tour and she has always remained positive despite having to wait to receive a chance to play,” said Sephaka. “The competition at scrumhalf is particularly tight with Fundiswa Plaatjie playing fantastic rugby and Tayla Kinsey being a solid back-up, so it would be good to see what Siphosethu could add to the game if she takes to the field.”
South Africa Fixtures and results at the 2014 Women’s Rugby World Cup, at the French Rugby Federation in Marcoussis: 1 August: Australia 26-3 South Africa 5 August: France 55-3 South Africa 9 August: Wales 35-3 South Africa 13 August: South Africa 25-24 Samoa 17 August: South Africa vs Spain Springbok Women’s team to face Spain in their final IRB Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 Fixture, on Sunday, 17 August, 2014: 15. Zandile Nojoko 14. Siviwe Basweni 13. Veroeshka Grain 12. Lorinda Brown 11. Sinazo Nobele 10. Zenay Jordaan 9. Fundiswa Plaatjie 8. Shona-Leah Weston 7. Vuyolwethu Vazi 6. Lamla Momoti 5. Nolusindiso Booi 4. Nomaphelo Mayongo 3. Portia Jonga 2. Thantaswa Macingwana 1. Nwabisa Ngxatu Replacements: 16. Denita Wentzel 17. Cebisa Kula 18. Celeste Adonis 19. Siphosethu Tshingana 20. Tayla Kinsey 21. Cindy Cant 22. Phumeza Gadu
Photo 1 caption: South Africa scrum half Fundiswa Plaatjie moves the ball during their Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014 Pool C match against France. Plaatjie said that despite the aches and pains, the team spirit is good and the players realise the importance of finishing the tournament with a win against Spain on Sunday. Photo: I Picarel/IRB
Photo 2 caption: The Women Springboks will be up against a powerful Spanish side in pursuit of ninth place. Spain’s flyhalf Vanesa Rial charges is pictured in the heat of battle in her team’s ninth place semi-final against Kazakhstan at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2014. Photo: C Glémet/IRB
(With editing by gsport)
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