Rugby Africa, Round Three: Bok Women stick to DNA for Cup Final
PREVIEW: The Springbok Women will stick to their tried and tested style when they face Kenya in the final match of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Nairobi on Sunday, with some significant team changes in their final line-up pointing to that approach.
Bok Women assistant coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt said they will not divert from their approach to the game.
“We have our own style, and this team was selected with that in mind,” said Johannes-Haupt.
“We have a plan and a style we want to play tomorrow [Sunday] and selected accordingly. Kenya have their style and we have ours. They can play the ball wide, especially with their sevens players back in the side, while they can also play amongst the forwards, but that is them.”
The inclusion of experienced loosehead prop Sanelisiwe Charlie in the starting pack is one of three significant changes to the forwards, while Nombuyekezo Mdliki will start at tighthead. Flanker Sinelitha Noxeke is also back after not playing against Uganda on Wednesday, adding to the pack’s line-out and ball-carrying abilities.
In the backs, Anacadia Minnaar and Thamie Yeko will start as the halfback pairing for the first time in green and gold, but the EP Queens duo know each other well having played next to each other all season in the Pick n Pay Women’s Super League.
Jakkie Cilliers moves from the midfield to the wing, with powerhouse Aphiwe Ngwevu coming into the centres to partner Naima Hlatshwayo.
“We are in a good position in that we were able to give our youngsters a chance to play and make their debuts and that went well for us, so we now have the opportunity to select a team with players on form and some experience,” Johannes-Haupt explained.
It is now all down to execution and enjoying the moment, she said: “This is the final game for us, and we will approach it as a final as well. We will take points where available, we want to play in the right areas of the field.
“We are expecting a massive physical approach from them, it is always like that and the fact that we face them at home for the first time, will add another dimension for sure.”
Springbok Women: 15 Chuma Qawe, 14 Alichia Arries, 13 Naima Hlatshwayo, 12 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 11 Jakkie Cilliers, 10 Thami Yeko, 9 Anacadia Minnaar, 8 Logan Welman, 7 Sinelitha Noxeke, 6 Faith Tshauke, 5 Anathi Qolo (captain), 4 Nomsa Mokwai, 3 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 2 Anushka Groenewald, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie.
Replacements: 16 Roseline Botes, 17 Xoliswa Khuzwayo, 18 Yonela Ngxingolo, 19 Thandile Mazwi, 20 Nobuhle Mjwara, 21 Ntsako Mbombi, 22 Mary Zulu, 23 Shaunique Alexander.
Fixtures:
Sunday, May 31:
Uganda v Madagascar
Kick-off: 14.00 (11.00 GMT; 13.00 SAST)
South Africa v Kenya
Kick-off: 16.00 (13.00 GMT; 15.00 SAST)
Referee: Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe)
