Springbok Women’s strengths and weaknesses ahead of Black Ferns quarter-final showdown

The Springbok Women have shown remarkable growth and resilience on the international stage over the past few years, culminating in a historic Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against the Black Ferns tomorrow.

The Springbok Women are no longer pushovers. They’ve built a team with clear strengths, especially up front, and play with incredible passion.

But to take the next step and challenge teams like New Zealand and England consistently, they need to shore up a few areas of their play.

Independent Media looks at the areas where they can hurt New Zealand — and where they remain vulnerable against the top teams.

STRENGTHS

Physicality and set-pieces

The Bok Women pride themselves on their forward play. Their scrums and line-outs are well-drilled and consistently give them a foothold in matches. This physical edge allows them to control the tempo and territory.

Heart and grit

In true South African spirit, the Bok Women have shown a willingness to scrap and fight for every inch, even against top-tier teams. That fighting spirit was on display in their win over Italy, which secured their first-ever quarter-final berth.

Tactical planning

Swys de Bruin and his coaching staff have developed tactical game plans tailored to each opponent. The bold 7-1 bench split for the clash against the Black Ferns underlines their commitment to their identity and strategy.

Improved conditioning

The team’s fitness levels and work rate have improved dramatically over recent years. They've managed to maintain structure deeper into games — a weakness that often cost them in the past.

WEAKNESSES

Defensive fragility out wide

One of the biggest concerns is their lack of defensive structure and awareness in the wide channels. Top-tier teams often exploit this weakness with quick ball movement and pace on the flanks.

Lack of quality depth in the backline

Injuries or fatigue in the backline could prove costly — especially with the 7-1 bench split leaving only one backline replacement. Creativity and flair are still developing when compared to the game’s elite sides.

Inexperience at the highest level

Despite their growth, many players still lack consistent exposure to top-tier international competition. Decision-making under pressure can falter, particularly when defending narrow leads or chasing games late on.

Skill execution under pressure

While their structure is improving, handling errors and missed tackles remain an issue — especially under fatigue. Against Italy, there were several moments of confusion and miscommunication on attack.