In a gripping encounter at Athlone Stadium, the Springbok Women demonstrated remarkable resilience and adaptability as they attempted a second-half comeback against the formidable New Zealand Black Ferns, ultimately succumbing to a 34–26 defeat. Performance coach Swys de Bruin acclaimed the team’s transformation in play after half-time, highlighting a newfound physicality and directness that nearly turned the match on its head.
The first half was a challenging one for South Africa, who found themselves outmanoeuvred and trailing 20–12 as the teams headed into the break. De Bruin openly expressed his frustration at the sluggish start, stating, “We simply did not get going in the first half.” However, he was quick to praise the team’s adaptability, which allowed them to create numerous opportunities after the break.
“If we did not have one of our tries disallowed at a crucial stage in the second half, who knows what could have happened at the end,” he reflected, hinting at the razor-thin margin that separated victory from defeat.
In stark contrast to their initial performance, the South African side displayed a bold approach in the second half, opting for crash-ball tactics that allowed them to keep the ball tight and maintain pressure on the Black Ferns. The change in strategy proved effective, as they tightened their defence and conceded only two tries in the second period compared to four in the first, signifying a marked improvement.
“We made a call at half-time to change our approach and play more direct, and that worked for us tonight,” De Bruin explained. “It was a night where we needed physicality and the shortest route forward, and we almost managed to turn the result around, something that I am very pleased about.”
The match served as an important learning curve for the Springbok Women as they prepare for the upcoming Rugby World Cup next month. De Bruin acknowledged that certain combinations that thrived in previous encounters earlier in the season, such as during their match against Spain, were not suited for the challenges posed by the highly-skilled Black Ferns side.
“Tonight we needed physical ball-carriers, and those combinations were better suited against a very skilful Black Ferns XV,” he stated, emphasising the importance of versatility in their playstyle as they continue to develop in the lead-up to the World Cup.