Audio -‘Very Satisfied’: Swys’ verdict on Bok Women’s form
REACTION: The Springbok Women may have suffered their third consecutive defeat, but performance coach Swys de Bruin is confident the team is on the right path ahead of the World Cup in England.
South Africa fell short 26-34 to the New Zealand XV at Athlone Stadium on Saturday, following back-to-back losses to Canada earlier this month.
The Springbok Women struggled to gain momentum in the early stages of the match, conceding four tries and trailing 12-20 at halftime.
“They came at us in that first half,” De Bruin said when asked for his assessment of the match.
“They took us wide. They played brilliant rugby.
“We came back in the second half – three, four scoring chances that we slipped as well – it could have been so different.
“So, from my heart, very proud.
“However, obviously, it was a frustrating first half.”
South Africa improved significantly after the break. The forward pack took control, and key substitutions off the bench turned the momentum.
The tactical switch of Nadine Roos from fullback to scrumhalf also added a spark to the attack.
“We’re starting to find out what works, what combinations work, and what doesn’t work so well.
“Of course, there are different matches for different combinations. But I think that’s an important thing.
“Something we’ve also learned in the meantime is that they like a challenge – the harder, the more physical, the better.
“We shouldn’t worry too much about their skills – that’s the Black Ferns’ DNA.
“Our DNA is: go for it and beat your man – and they’re doing well.
“My coaching team and I are very satisfied.”
*Article continues below…
Despite their physical edge, De Bruin admitted the Springbok backline still lags behind the fluidity shown by the Black Ferns XV.
“We scored backline tries against Spain, and even against Canada, we had two great backline tries and line breaks as well.
“Remember, Jakkie Cilliers got through the middle there, and we had a couple of those.
“But that is a big work-on – knowing when to go wide and when to capitalise wide.
“Tonight, the field was muddy. It was windy. That’s why I say the Ferns are fantastic in these conditions – with the wind blowing like that, to take the ball wide the way they did.
“We’ve learned a big lesson from them on how to play wide.”
*Article continues below…
De Bruin also addressed the yellow cards handed to Vainah Ubisi and Eloise Webb, commending how they managed the numerical disadvantage.
“We’re not used to that. And Eloise’s one – both of them – it was marginal, but it happens.
“We’ve got to make sure, especially with tackling – the level change we talk about – we’ve got to go low.
“And you can’t go for a ball if you can’t catch it. If you just touch it, it’s yellow now. That’s part of the law. It’s a tough one. I saw it in the Australia versus British and Irish Lions game as well.
“It happened so quickly, and you don’t want that. But I’m not concerned about it.
“We’ve got a very disciplined side – on and off the field.
“It’s a wonderful team to work with. And anything you ask them, they do it as one. There’s so much unity and discipline.”
He added: “They just stuck like glue.
“So in that sense, it was a good thing with the yellow cards – to see how they unite. Everyone just worked harder, and that’s exactly what we want heading into the World Cup.
“We need that tough edge now.”
