VIDEO: 'Anything can happen in the quarterfinals'
SPOTLIGHT: As the Springbok Women prepare for the biggest game in their history – a World Cup quarterfinal against the Black Ferns – scrum coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt knows just how monumental the challenge ahead is.
South Africa enter their first-ever Women’s Rugby World Cup quarterfinal after a tough pool phase.
They recorded wins over Brazil (66-6) and Italy (29-24) before a sobering 10-57 loss to France.
While the defeat highlighted the gap between the top-tier teams and the rising Springboks, it also underlined just how much potential exists in this fast-developing squad.
“It’s obviously really hard to take a loss,” Johannes-Haupt told Rugby365 at the team hotel in Exeter, England.
“It made you realise where we are in our game. But we know we’re playing the top four nations, and they’re going to bring it. And they definitely showed us who they were.
“The French were a good, good team. We all knew exactly what their plan was against us, and they executed their plan well.
“We definitely struggled to get into [the match].
“Although we had the defeat, it’s on to the next one.
“And the next one for us is even bigger than the French game – because now we’re in the quarterfinals.
“Anything can happen in the quarterfinals. We just want to put our best foot forward.”
*Article continues below…
David v Goliath
South Africa and New Zealand last met at the World Cup in 2010, where the Black Ferns stormed to a 55-3 victory in the pool stage.
Johannes-Haupt was part of the squad. Now, 15 years later, she’ll face the same foe – but this time as a coach.
Nonetheless, she is under no illusion of the incredible talent the Black Ferns possess.
“They play beautiful, expansive rugby. So, we’re just going to focus on ourselves and do what we can do.”
The Black Ferns, boasting a mix of youth and Sevens pedigree, are known for their fluid attacking play and strong set pieces.
“The Black Ferns – it’s a nice, youthful team. A lot of Sevens experience there.
“So, we’re expecting a real good, skilful brand of rugby from them.
“They’re actually a good set-piece team too.
“So, we can’t really nitpick exactly what they’re not good at.
“They play a really good game, and we just need to front up and do what we need to do.”
*Article continues below…
A game-changer for Women’s Rugby
Johannes-Haupt’s journey mirrors the evolution of the women’s game itself.
In 2010, when she took the field as a prop, the sport was a far cry from the increasingly professional and high-performance arena it is today.
In 2019, she became the first woman to coach a South African national rugby team, taking charge of the Women’s U20s.
Today, she’s the official scrum coach for the senior Springbok Women’s team – one of the most visible and respected female coaches in the country.
“From when I played, to when I started coaching, to now making it to the quarterfinals, it just shows that this game is evolving, this game is growing, and South Africa is embracing it.
“So, the more you embrace it, the better our product will be. This is massive – not just for me, but for every future coach stepping into the domain of where I am.
“It’s just going to make our game better.
“It’s not really about me; it’s about the future of this game.
“And I’m extremely passionate about that.”
As Saturday approaches, the Springbok Women are preparing for a moment bigger than just 80 minutes of rugby. A win would be monumental. A strong performance – even in defeat – could signal the dawn of a new era.
Either way, they’ve already made history. And they’re not done yet.
The Springbok Women will announce their matchday 23 on Thursday.
View this post on Instagram
