Springbok Women undaunted by Black Ferns challenge

The 10th-ranked Springbok Women say they clearly understand the task at hand and are unbothered by facing world number two, New Zealand. afrikasportnews.co.za

The South Africans face the Black Ferns in a once-off Test at FNB Stadium, Soweto, on Saturday (kick-off 1.30pm) in a curtain-raiser to the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry third Test between the Springboks and All Blacks.

This, just days after Springbok Women’s coach Swys de Bruin quit. Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September are co-coaches for the match.

‘We have a plan’

Still, captain Babalwa Latsha said they are undaunted by the prospect of facing the same side that beat them 46-17 in the quarter-finals of last year’s Women’s World Cup in England.

They also lost to the Black Ferns in the only other match between the sides – a 2010 World Cup pool game (score 55-3). They did, however, beat an invitational Black Ferns XV 41-24 in August last year.

“We have a plan and that includes being direct and physical and playing to our strengths, which is a very strong set piece,” said Latsha.

“They are a very skilful team and will no doubt try to get around us, while the direct route is our preferred option.

“We are also aware of the historical nature of this clash, being the first one between us played in South Africa as well as our first match at FNB Stadium, the biggest stadium in the country.”

Vice captain Libbie Janse van Rensburg said they had good lessons from their previous encounter in Exeter last September.

“We had a plan and it worked for the first half, when we were 10-10,” she said.

“We did not maintain that composure in the second half. That allowed them to run away with it. We cannot afford just one half, we need to play equally well in both.”

Springbok Women target top five

The move up the world ranking is a motivation, but the growth of the team is as important, she said: “We wanted to break into the top 10 and needed to play against teams in that bracket to get there. We did that.

“Now our next focus is getting into the top five and for that we need to play against teams in the top five. Tomorrow we are doing that. Those things are all part of our growth spurt which over the last two years was impressive.”

According to the World Rugby rankings South Africa will jump three places to a record high of seventh if they can beat New Zealand, with an additional place gained if the margin is by more than 15 points.

Ce samedi 6 septembre, Manchester City s’apprête à affronter Coventry à l’occasion de la 3e journée de Premier League. Une rencontre à laquelle pourrait participer Enzo Fernández.

Fernández déjà disponible

À peine arrivé à Manchester City, Enzo Fernández pourrait déjà faire ses débuts avec les Cityzens. Présent en conférence de presse d’avant-match, Enzo Maresca a confirmé que le milieu de terrain était disponible pour cette prochaine échéance, tout en louant ses qualités :

« Enzo est prêt, oui. […] Je connais bien Enzo et je sais ce qu’il peut apporter à l’équipe. […] C’est un gagnant, avec une mentalité de gagnant, il sait comment gagner. La Coupe du Monde, la Coupe du Monde des Clubs… C’est l’essentiel. »

Alors que Fernández n’a disputé que 25 minutes avec Chelsea cette saison, Enzo Maresca semble déjà compter pleinement sur son nouveau joueur.

Des retours et des absents

Dans le même temps, Enzo Maresca a également confirmé le retour de Matheus Nunes, absent lors de la rencontre face à Crystal Palace, remportée par ces derniers (1-4).

En revanche, Jérémy Doku manquera une nouvelle fois à l’appel. L’ailier belge n’a plus fait son apparition depuis le 16 août 2026, lors du Community Shield face à Arsenal, et devra encore patienter avant de retrouver les terrains.

The post Manchester City : Enzo Fernández prêt à affronter Coventry appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.

All Blacks bruiser Luke Jacobson is champing at the bit to crash into the Springboks again in Saturday’s Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry blockbuster in Joburg.

Locked at 1-1, New Zealand will clash with the world champions in what has been billed as the series decider ahead of next week’s Baltimore leg.

Jacobson started in the All Blacks No 7 jersey at Ellis Park and Cape Town Stadium after building form through the July Nations Championship but for the flanker, Saturday is about correcting a few wrongs up against the world’s best.

PLUM: All Blacks could be 20 points up by half-time

“I love physical games and physical confrontations. The South Africans, they’re big physical bodies; there’s no hiding from that,” Jacobson told DSPN‘s Martin Devlin.

“So, it’s a real good test. One of the hardest Tests you will get, I think, as a rugby player is playing against South Africa – physically.

“It’s a good place to see where you’re at. I wasn’t overly happy with some of my collisions from the last game. So, looking to get a few of those right for this Test.”

SNAKEY: Boks’ midfield holds edge

Facing the same rival three weeks running has reshaped New Zealand’s build-up, and Jacobson explained: “It is unusual, and it actually makes the weeks a hard case because you don’t have to do too much preview because your reviews are pretty much previews …

“It’s just such small margins and trying to find the little bits of gold that are going to be the difference.”

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

The post Jacobson on collision course with Boks appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.