Boks to take Women’s World Cup by storm

South African women’s national rugby team captain Mandisa Williams says her side are ready for the IRB Women’s World Cup, which is set to get underway in France next week.

The Springboks, who have been through a week of intensive training with the coaching staff and the South African Rugby Union’s Mobi-Unit, are scheduled to take part in two training sessions in Cape Town before leaving for Paris on Sunday.

“We have worked hard on and off the field since assembling in the World Cup holding camp last Monday and with the tournament drawing nearer the energy in the team is electric,” Williams told SAInfo on Thursday.

“The players are excited for the challenge ahead after several months of preparation. Of course with excitement the nerves flare up too as this will be the first Women’s Rugby World Cup for several players in the squad, but this is natural before such a big tournament.

“From a game preparation point of view, we have done everything we could to improve the areas of our game that required attention,” she said.

“We have two more field sessions to fine-tune these aspects of our game. But with the World Cup a week away, it is important that we are also prepared mentally, so we will be focusing our attention on getting that right in the next few days.”

South Africa will begin their Rugby World Cup campaign on 1 August against Australia, and then go on to face the hosts and Six Nations champions, France, on 5 August before taking on Wales four days later.