Jacobs says Springbok Women must prove progress against Black Ferns

Catha Jacobs says the Springbok Women must show their improvement in attack and overall variety when they face the Black Ferns at FNB Stadium on Saturday.

The historic Test will give South Africa a chance to respond to their Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat by New Zealand last September, when the teams were level at half-time before the Black Ferns pulled away in the second half.

“We left the field frustrated after the (Women’s Rugby World Cup) quarter-final clash against the Black Ferns last September in Exeter,” said the Springbok Women utility forward on Tuesday.

“It was great to have made the last eight for the first time ever and even better to be 10-10 at halftime with a team that dominated World Cups over decades. That second half did not go our way and we were frustrated afterwards, wishing we could turn back the clock.”

Saturday’s fixture is a once-off Test and forms part of the Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry double-header, alongside the meeting between the Springboks and All Blacks.

It offers South Africa an unexpected second opportunity against New Zealand, who are second in the world rankings.

Jacobs believes the Springbok Women have developed their game since the World Cup. She was particularly encouraged by the range of their performance against the USA Women’s Eagles in July and during last month’s clean-sweep tour of Fiji.

The utility forward moved into sevens after the World Cup before returning to the fifteens set-up. She said the experience had benefited both her fitness and technical ability.

“I joined the sevens after the Women’s Rugby World Cup and played in the various HSBC SVNS tournaments, which was great for my conditioning, but also my skill level, which improved as well,” Jacobs explained.

“There is no doubt in my mind that I have benefitted hugely from being with the sevens group and I can feel that in my fifteens play over the last couple of Test matches.

“We are certainly continuing our upward curve that started in the lead up to the World Cup and having several of those sevens teammates in the mix, certainly added to our improved ability. We will never move away from our strengths in the first phase and our physicality, but we did add some variety in our play.”

South Africa defeated both Fiji and the United States during their recent fixtures, with both opponents having also competed at the World Cup. Jacobs said those results had strengthened the team’s belief, while acknowledging that Saturday would provide a far greater test.

“They had some good performances in the World Cup as well, but I believe we improved most of the three. That belief will be tested on Saturday, but then, that is what Test rugby is all about.”

Jacobs is expected to earn her 31st Test cap when the Springbok Women team is announced on Thursday.

The 31-year-old? No age providedcan’t add. She has played across the second row and back row during her Springbok career, featuring at lock, flanker and number eight. She says she is comfortable in each position.

“Playing for the Springbok Women remains a massive honour and if I am selected for this weekend’s historic match, it will be amazing, also given the fact that I play with the Golden Lions Women in the provincial competition, so I will represent the province as well,” she said.

Her possible selection would therefore carry added significance because the match is being staged at FNB Stadium, while also allowing her to represent the Golden Lions Women, her provincial side.