Solontsi: Springbok Women’s Sevens team will make it personal
THEY might be up against tough opposition in their Rugby World Cup Sevens opener at Cape Town Stadium today, but the Springbok Women’s Sevens team believe they can deliver.
The South Africans will open their campaign against France, and while the Europeans – who finished seventh at the last Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco – are ranked higher than Paul Delport’s team, confidence isn’t lacking among the hosts.
Speaking about the event yesterday, captain Sizophila Solontsi shared that they are taking a lot of confidence from the strong 15s flavour in their group.
This season, the Springbok Women won five of their six Tests in preparation for the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand next month, and Solontsi said that the squad have gelled well since the 15s players joined.
“I think we can do it ... we certainly believe we can,” said Solontsi, who also played for the Springbok Women in their recent Test victories over Japan and Spain. A big talking point this week has been the physicality of the French, and it’s an area where the South Africans feel they can not only match their counterparts, but give them a proper go, given the make-up of their group.
“The half-dozen players who came back from the 15s certainly brought some confidence and that winning mentality with them to this team, and it rubbed off. There is a particularly good interaction between those players and the core Sevens players, and we combined well during training these last couple of days,” Solontsi said
“We have devised a way how we believe is best to beat France, and will be hoping to execute that come tomorrow.” Solontsi, who will co-captain the team along with the experienced Mathrin Simmers, added that they will use their home-ground advantage to the max.