WATCH! 'It's time now': 100 days to go until #RWC
Springbok Women’s high-performance coach Swys de Bruin is one happy man as his team prepares to add their name to South African sports history at the 2025 World Cup.
The Springbok Women are currently training in Stellenbosch in preparation for the World Cup, which will kick off in England in 100 days.
Speaking to reporters, former Springbok assistant coach De Bruin said there is a sense of excitement in the camp.
“When I was told it’s 100 days to go, you could feel the excitement.
“Everyone knows, it’s time now,” De Bruin said.
“I know it’s still 100 days, and then I worked out it’s about three months and 10 days, more or less.
“And to break it down even further, we do have four Tests before that.
“However, the aim and the mindset are already there.
“It is going to be a massive challenge and an opportunity for us.”
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The Bok Women have some huge tests prior to heading to the showpiece. The side will face Canada in a two-Test series and the Black Ferns XV.
De Bruin hopes the gruelling encounters will serve as ideal preparation for what to expect when they take on Brazil, Italy, and France in England.
“I asked Dave Wessels and Lynne Cantwell to get us the toughest opposition, so we don’t get shell-shocked when we arrive at the World Cup.
“We’re playing a New Zealand XV, and their rugby and depth is massively strong.
“Canada is No.2 in the world, so it’s going to be a big task for us, and we have to prepare.
“However, I would rather go to the World Cup knowing what the best can do and having played the best, so when we hit Brazil and Italy, the confidence must be there.
“I have noticed if the girls are confident, they can play. If they’re not and there is a little doubt, that is where the problem starts.”
De Bruin said there are two key areas his team is working on.
“Conditioning is a big aspect.
“At the moment, we talk about game-based training – we want to train like we are going to play. It is new for the girls.
“We have a strong pack, and the girls must train with high intensity, so they get used to it.
“We have Gavin Wright from the Stormers working on the kickers, so those were the two departments we needed to fix.”
He added: “We are a process-driven team. We’ve got to build the foundation of the house before we start thinking about the roof.
“So, at the moment we are on the first floor, almost the second, with preparations.
“There’s no fancy stuff yet; it’s still the hard work.
“I don’t want to get over this so-called wall with 10 ladders. We need one or two, and they’re all going to stand. It’s very process-driven. It may feel like too much, but with these girls, I’ve learned that if there is clarity, that leads to confidence.
“And also adds to communication.”
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The Springbok Women will take on Canada (July 5, 12) and the Black Ferns XV (July 26, August 2), before the World Cup.
Next month, they will travel to Madagascar, where they will face Uganda, Kenya, and Madagascar in the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup.
De Bruin will reveal his Africa Women’s Cup squad on Thursday, May 15.
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