Rugby World Cup gets real for Springbok Women

If their first week of training did not bring home the reality of the Rugby World Cup to the Springbok Women, they will get a proper wake-up call on Saturday when Scotland await in a training match.

It will be a first hit-out for both teams and according to Springbok Women coach Stanley Raubenheimer, the friendly outing will be a perfect kick-start to their campaign, which explodes into action on Saturday, 8 October when they play France in Pool C of the tournament.

“This match is part of our final preparation planning for the Rugby World Cup,” Raubenheimer explained the outing, which will take place at the Springbok Women’s training venue at Grammar Juniors Rugby Football Club.

“I met Bryan (Easson, Scotland's head coach) in May when we attended a World Rugby workshop, and we became good friends. We have been in regular contact ever since, sharing ideas and this match was discussed and confirmed during one of those chats.

“We need this hit-out before we take on France next weekend. It will be important that the players implement the plan we have for France tomorrow. Scotland will come up with one or two "French' plays as well, so we need to be alert and adaptable to that.”

Raubenheimer said there will not be any holding back in the opening minutes in fear of injury.

“You can't play rugby if you fear injuries as this is part and parcel of the game, it is a contact sport after all, so I am expecting everyone to give it a 100% out there,” the coach said.

“The players are in a good space. We have a happy and fit squad of 32 players raring to go and I am keen to see how they implement our plans tomorrow.”

Raubenheimer said the starting team against France is basically settled, as he tweaked towards that squad all year: “I don't want the players to be surprised or anxious about the French game, so we laid out our plans to them in Cape Town already and everyone are on board with that.

“My expectation for tomorrow is to get the team used to the conditions on this side and game ready. The surface here is quite different to what we are used to at home, it is softer and much more slippery. So hopefully we get a good feel on that as well tomorrow and the players get confidence playing with these underfoot conditions,” he added.

Scotland play their first match against Wales in Pool A and will also face New Zealand and Australia along the way.