Springbok Women undaunted by Black Ferns challenge

The 10th-ranked Springbok Women say they clearly understand the task at hand and are unbothered by facing world number two, New Zealand. ipl-today.in

The South Africans face the Black Ferns in a once-off Test at FNB Stadium, Soweto, on Saturday (kick-off 1.30pm) in a curtain-raiser to the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry third Test between the Springboks and All Blacks.

This, just days after Springbok Women’s coach Swys de Bruin quit. Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September are co-coaches for the match.

‘We have a plan’

Still, captain Babalwa Latsha said they are undaunted by the prospect of facing the same side that beat them 46-17 in the quarter-finals of last year’s Women’s World Cup in England.

They also lost to the Black Ferns in the only other match between the sides – a 2010 World Cup pool game (score 55-3). They did, however, beat an invitational Black Ferns XV 41-24 in August last year.

“We have a plan and that includes being direct and physical and playing to our strengths, which is a very strong set piece,” said Latsha.

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“They are a very skilful team and will no doubt try to get around us, while the direct route is our preferred option.

“We are also aware of the historical nature of this clash, being the first one between us played in South Africa as well as our first match at FNB Stadium, the biggest stadium in the country.”

Vice captain Libbie Janse van Rensburg said they had good lessons from their previous encounter in Exeter last September.

“We had a plan and it worked for the first half, when we were 10-10,” she said.

“We did not maintain that composure in the second half. That allowed them to run away with it. We cannot afford just one half, we need to play equally well in both.”

Springbok Women target top five

The move up the world ranking is a motivation, but the growth of the team is as important, she said: “We wanted to break into the top 10 and needed to play against teams in that bracket to get there. We did that.

“Now our next focus is getting into the top five and for that we need to play against teams in the top five. Tomorrow we are doing that. Those things are all part of our growth spurt which over the last two years was impressive.”

According to the World Rugby rankings South Africa will jump three places to a record high of seventh if they can beat New Zealand, with an additional place gained if the margin is by more than 15 points.

South Africa had to dig deep, but they managed to maintain their composure at the death, securing an 11 run victory over Namibia on Friday to book their place in the T20 International tri-series final in Windhoek.

Having lost to their neighbours in their previous two T20 matches, it was the Proteas’ first ever win over Namibia in an international match.

Chasing 229 runs to win, Namibia put up a powerful fight, anchored by openers Jan Frylinck and Louren Steenkamp who shared 119 runs for the first wicket.

Fast bowler Andile Simelane broke the partnership in the 11th over of the innings when he had Frylinck caught by sub Tony de Zorzi on the deep square leg boundary for 72 runs off 36 deliveries.

After Frylinck was removed, Steenkamp went on to make 61 off 44 before he retired hurt at the end of the 16th over.

Though the hosts continued to work for it, after the openers were dismissed they were ultimately restricted to 217/3.

Proteas innings

Earlier, after losing the toss and being sent in to bat, the Proteas were carried by openers Lhuan-dré Pretorius and Connor Esterhuizen.

The duo combined in a 156-run opening stand, which was the second-highest partnership for the first wicket (and the sixth-highest for any wicket) by a South African pair in T20 International cricket.

Esterhuizen was removed in the 11th over for a career best 88 runs off 40 balls when spinner Jan Balt dismantled his leg stump.

After he was dismissed, Pretorius went on to contribute 101 off 53 deliveries before he was bowled by spinner Gerhard Erasmus in the last over of the innings.

Pretorius – who was given a life when he was dropped on 23 – hit his first T20 International century, with the SA team compiling 228/4.

South Africa, finished top of the T20 tri-series table with six points, face Zimbabwe in the final in Windhoek on Sunday, 6 September.

New Bafana Bafana coach Pitso Mosimane has named his preliminary squad for this month’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers.

South Africa will meet Guinea at home on 26 September, before they play Eritrea four days away.

They will then face Egypt in an international friendly in Cairo on 4 October.

Full Bafana Squad:

Goalkeepers: Ronwen Williams, Sipho Chaine, Ricardo Goss

Defenders: Aubrey Modiba, Samukele Kabini, Fawaaz Basadien, Kamogelo Sebelebele, Thapelo Morena, Thabang Matuludi, Olwethu Makhanya, Khulumani Ndamane

Midfielders: Teboho Mokoena, Lebogang Maboe, Cemran Dansin, Sphephelo Sithole, Bathusi Aubaas, Brooklyn Poggenpoel

Forwards: Iqraam Rayners, Yanela Mbuthuma, Lyle Foster, Cassius Mailula, Oswin Appollis, Puso Dithejane, Tashreeq Matthews, Relebohile Mofokeng, Themba Zwane, Ronaldo van Neel, Thapelo Maseko, Moremi, Luther Singh, Shandre Campbell

Assistant coach Mzwandile Stick says nothing but victory will do for the Springboks in Saturday’s third Test against the All Blacks at FNB Stadium. CLINTON VAN DER BERG reports.

With the four-Test Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series locked at 1-1, Stick explained the thinking behind the Boks’ approach to selection and continuity.

“From the start, we said we’d treat this series like a World Cup knockout campaign,” he said.

“The changes we made after the first Test were mostly enforced, one or two were down to injuries.

“When it comes to continuity, the players understand that’s the plan for the series, because if you’re in this position at a World Cup you always want your best available side out there.

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“It was unlucky for some of the younger players who’d had a chance to show what they can do, but we also had a couple of senior players return from injury and go straight back into their positions. As a coach I always enjoy seeing younger players push the more experienced ones, that’s exactly the kind of competition we need in the squad.

“New Zealand have made a few changes too, but you probably know their best 23, and the spine of their team hasn’t changed much. They’ve got combinations that are working.

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“This rivalry is living up to its name, arguably one of the best in the world historically, and people are getting value for their ticket money because you never know who’ll win.”

Stick did not shy away from the psychological weight of a New Zealand victory on South African soil.

“If they win tomorrow, they’ll claim they’ve beaten South Africa [2-1] in our own backyard, so we understand exactly what’s motivating them. We also want to protect what we stand for as South Africans.”

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He was equally sharp on the mathematics of the contest.

“Whoever wins has a genuine shot at winning the wider series when we travel on [to Baltimore in the USA for the fourth Test]; whoever loses can still only draw the series. Both teams will be desperate for a result.”

On where the game will be won and lost, Stick pointed to the collision zones.

“We still want to get better at the breakdown, because we know they’ll target it with the players they’ve selected. If we want to create opportunities, we have to be clinical there.”

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He was firm that the Springboks won’t abandon their identity to chase New Zealand’s ball-in-hand approach.

“Set-piece is one of our biggest attacking platforms, we want to go forward, we’ve never been a team that goes around the contact, so if we get scrum or lineout opportunities we’ll look to dominate.

“New Zealand will want to keep the ball in play and avoid the breakdown and set-piece as much as they can – that suits their game plan.”

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

The post Stokke: Boks want home series win appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Windhoek — A breathtaking maiden T20I century from Lhuan-dre Pretorius and a brutal 88 from Connor Esterhuizen propelled South Africa into Sunday’s Namibia T20I Tri-Series final, edging hosts Namibia by 11 runs in a 445-run thriller at the Namibia Cricket Ground on Friday.

South Africa amassed 228/4, their fifth-highest team total in T20I history, after an electric 156-run opening stand. In reply, a brave Namibia outfit pushed the Proteas down to the final over, finishing on 217/3 to bow out of the tournament and set up a South Africa versus Zimbabwe championship showdown.

Record-Breaking Assault from the Openers

Sent in to bat, South Africa seized control from the outset courtesy of an explosive partnership between Pretorius and Esterhuizen, who was promoted to the top of the order:

• Esterhuizen’s Power Surge: After surveying the first over, Esterhuizen dismantled Namibia’s attack, bludgeoning 88 off just 40 balls with six fours and eight towering sixes before falling to Jan Balt in the 12th over.
• Pretorius Reaches Three Figures: Three days after falling on 94 against Zimbabwe, Pretorius reached his maiden T20I hundred in dramatic fashion. Starting the 20th over on 89, the 22-year-old left-hander cleared the boundary twice off Gerhard Erasmus before being bowled on 101 off 53 balls (5 fours, 8 sixes).

South Africa Top Performers	Runs (Balls)	Boundaries	Strike Rate
Lhuan-dre Pretorius	101 (53)	5 x 4s, 8 x 6s	190.56
Connor Esterhuizen	88 (40)	6 x 4s, 8 x 6s	220.00
Rubin Hermann	26 (21)	1 x 4s, 1 x 6	123.80

Young Attack Weathers Namibian Onslaught

Facing a massive target of 229, Namibia mounted a ferocious chase through Jan Frylinck (72 off 36) and Louren Steenkamp (61 off 44), sharing a blistering 119-run opening stand.

The momentum swung South Africa’s way through decisive defensive moments:

• Boundary Snare: Andile Simelane broke the stand when substitute fielder Tony de Zorzi took a brilliant catch on the boundary cushion to dismiss a rampaging Frylinck.
• Key Setback: Steenkamp was forced to retire hurt on 61 after being struck by an Eathan Bosch bouncer in the 16th over, stalling the home side’s surge.
• Cool Under Pressure: Tasked with defending 24 runs in the final over, young seamer Nqobani Mokoena (2/43) executed wide yorkers under severe pressure, conceding zero boundaries to secure the 11-run victory.

Match Summary

• South Africa: 228/4 in 20 overs (Pretorius 101, Esterhuizen 88; Balt 2/31, Trumpelmann 1/38)
• Namibia: 217/3 in 20 overs (Frylinck 72, Steenkamp 61 retired hurt; Mokoena 2/43, Simelane 1/28)
• Result: South Africa won by 11 runs.

Final Standings & Championship Decider

South Africa conclude the double round-robin stage clear at the summit with three wins from four matches.

Team	Played	Won	Lost	Points	NRR
South Africa	4	3	1	6	+1.232
Zimbabwe	4	2	2	4	-1.002
Namibia	4	1	3	2	-0.226

The Proteas will battle Zimbabwe for the tri-series silverware in Windhoek on Sunday, September 6, carrying confidence from two dominant group-stage victories over their northern neighbours.

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