The Springbok Women’s team has settled in the Welsh capital, with training already underway at Cardiff Metropolitan University ahead of their WXV Global Series opener against Wales on Friday.
According to head coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt, training has been productive despite the disruptive windy and rainy weather conditions.
“Look, there is nothing you can do about the weather, and it is going to be like this for the rest of the week, so the earlier we adapt, the better,” she said. “We trained in sunshine before we came over, but this is not the end of the world. We have an opportunity to take on a class team like Wales, and that is something we will be embracing this week,” she remarked.
Johannes-Haupt also expressed the team’s determination to make the most of their first encounter with Wales, whom they have not beaten since 2010.
“We wanted to be part of the WXV Global Series for a reason, and the main one was the opportunity to play the best teams in the world,” said Johannes-Haupt. “That opportunity starts on Friday. It will be tough. Wales is also a forward-dominating team, like us, so it will be an interesting match-up,” the coach added.
The squad to face Wales is expected to be announced on Wednesday.
Some of the teams participating in the Series include Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, Italy, France, England, Canada and Australia.
