Imbokodo need major investment – Delport
did well this year is identifying some really talented ladies who did well this weekend.
“Hopefully we can remember the intensity of these games and the lessons we learnt and take it forward.”
The SA women were on the wrong side of some refereeing that certainly qualified as questionable.
“At the qualifying tournament the standard won’t be as high, so hopefully with a couple of those fundamental errors we’ve been making we won’t be penalised as much,” Delport said with a smile.
On the state of the women’s game in South Africa, Delport, who has recruited girls from different sporting backgrounds, said: “Women’s rugby isn’t taken seriously in this country, that’s a fact and the further we move forward the more endemic it becomes.
“The fact that we came here as an invitational team and finished above two core teams shows the ladies played really well, they played above themselves, they’re punching above their weight. But the simple fact is that if there’s going to be no investment, we’re not going to get better.
“If you look at what the other teams are doing and you look at their systems, you’ll see that we are very, very far behind.”
Over the weekend, the women’s side opened their campaign with a 40-0 loss to New Zealand before going down to a physical Russian side and Fiji in the pool stages.
The Blitzboks had another successful weekend but were edged by New Zealand in the gold final.
They outplayed Japan, Fiji and the US in the pool stages before overcoming Kenya and France in the knockouts.
Two botched line-outs cost the Blitzboks a second Cape Town title. Coach Neil Powell, though, was happy with the outcome.
“We played in two finals and we won one of them, so it has been two good weeks for us,” said Powell.
Last season, the Blitzboks finished a disappointing sixth in Dubai and third in Cape Town, and the current early results compared to last year’s are another factor that pleased the head coach.
“The players really put in a good effort. We fluffed two line-outs in the final but overall it was a good tournament. It’s a much better start than last season.”
Powell also explained his decision to not play Ruhan Nel – who was massive for the Blitzboks throughout the tournament, even being named in the tournament Dream Team along with teammates JC Pretorius and Rosko Specman – in the final.
“Ruhan is struggling with his hand a bit. He picked up an injury against France so that’s why he missed out on the final.”
The Blitzboks are tied with New Zealand at the top of the standings after two rounds.