After an encouraging start to the Women’s Rugby World Cup, the Springbok Women are now turning their full attention to Italy.
This next Pool D clash in York could be pivotal, potentially deciding their path in the tournament.
Quarter-Final Spot Up for Grabs
A win against Italy would secure a top-two finish in the pool and guarantee the Springbok Women a spot in the quarter-finals.
Kick-off is scheduled for Sunday, 31 August, at 16:30 SA time—a game the team knows they cannot afford to underestimate.
Coaches Praise Team’s Focus and Intensity
Assistant coach Franzel September praised the squad for their focus and energy as the match approaches.
“After our solid win over Brazil on Sunday, we reset and started fresh in York,” he said.
“The Brazil game was a positive, but that’s behind us now.
Italy is all that matters, and the team is fully focused on what we need to achieve.”
Learning from Past Battles with Italy
September reflected on previous encounters with Italy during WXV 2 in Cape Town.
In 2023, Italy won 36-18, but last year the Springbok Women narrowed the gap with a 23-19 defeat.
With the current form and momentum, September is optimistic that a first-ever World Cup win over Italy is within reach.
“We are well prepared, the team is confident, and everyone believes this could be our best World Cup yet. It’s all in our hands,” he added.
Team News and Match Build-Up
The squad for Sunday’s match will be announced on Friday.
Byrhandrѐ Dolf missed Tuesday’s training due to a calf strain but is expected to be fit in time for kick-off.
Fans are already buzzing with predictions and can share their score guesses via the website or WhatsApp.
