Set piece improvements key as Springbok Women prepare for Italy showdown
WOMEN'S RUGBY WORLD CUP
The Springbok Women scrummed Brazil into submission this past weekend and they will look to use this weapon on Sunday when they face Italy in the second match of the tournament
Image: Morgan Harlow - World Rugby via Getty Images
The Springbok Women feel they still left some points on the field against Brazil, especially from their strong set piece, and their goal is to tighten up in those areas as they lay the foundation for their clash against Italy.
Sunday in York will arguably be the do-or-die clash for the Bok Women as they look to advance in their Rugby World Cup campaign. A victory on Sunday will all but guarantee them a place in the quarter-finals of the tournament in England.
Therefore, they must be at their best when they head into the duel with the eighth-ranked Italians.
“We’ve had our review, and although we scored some really good tries from our scrum and lineout, we still missed a few opportunities out there that we must rectify,” assistant coach Franzel September said.
“We pride ourselves on our mauls, and we wanted to get some more tries this past weekend. The 10-try win gave us all of that, but we are mindful that we need to start afresh against Italy.
“They are a very experienced side with a very good kicking game, and they do not play much in their own half. So, they will challenge us in different ways to what Brazil did. We need to be ready for that. We won’t underestimate any team here.”
The Bok Women dominated the Brazilians at scrum and lineout time and stole almost a handful of balls on the touchline. However, they know the Italians are a strong side when it comes to set pieces, and it won’t be as easy to upstage them in that department. Yes, they struggled against France, but they have plenty of time before Sunday to fix things.
September highlighted that fact and said they expect their opponents to be a lot sharper in that regard, although the South Africans will hope to upstage Italy in the forwards and lay a strong platform for the backs.
They are also looking to improve their ruck work, according to September.
“Italy played rugby in the right areas against the French and did some things well. They had certain moments in the game, and if they had converted those, it would’ve been a different game.
“So, we are wary of what they can bring, and we will be ready for an 80-minute game.”
The last time the two sides met, in the WXV 2 in Cape Town, South Africa kept pace with their opponents, eventually losing 23–19. So, the margins will be close on Sunday, and if the Bok Women stay disciplined and utilise their opportunities, they stand a good chance of causing an upset.