Having played against most of the Canadian team on a regular basis in England, Springbok Women utility forward Catha Jacobs is in a good position to act as soundboard on her team’s opponents for Saturday’s Test in Pretoria.
The clash at Loftus Versfeld will be the first between the Bok Women and the North Americans on South African soil.
Jacobs, who just completed a three year stint with the Leicester Tigers Women, where she played with Canadian flyhalf Claire Gallagher – but also against 14 other Canadians plying their trade in the English league – had some good insights to share with the rest of the South African side.
“Individually, they are really skilfull and one can see why – if you put them all in one team – they are number two in the world,” said Jacobs.
“That said, just as we know their strengths, we also know ours and if we have a good day, especially in the set-piece where we hope to dominate, we will be right up there.”
Jacobs last faced Canada in 2023, but on that day in Madrid, things did not go well of the versatile South African forwar, who has Test experience at lock, flanker and No 8. She was red-carded early in the match for a dangerous tackle and said that remains a painful memory.
“That was my first red card ever and hopefully the last, as I have not been penalised for that again,” said Jacobs, who looks set to play earn her 21st Test cap this weekend.
“To leave your teammates in limbo after just 12 minutes of such a great Test match was not something I want to experience again. I certainly learned my lesson from that experience and so far, so good as I have not been penalised for high tackles since.
“I know the Canadians will also have a chat about our team and what they have seen for the handful of us playing with them in England and they will certainly know about our physicality. If they don’t, they should also know that we are a family and will certainly play for each other and of course, our country.
Jacobs said the Bok Women know how good the Canadians are and have prepared accordingly.
“I think we have earned enough respect in recent times that they would also come into this match well-prepared,” she said.
“There is a belief in our team that we are on the rise and Canada will give us a very good idea of how steep that rise is. That is what we hope to get from this, as being at our best and in the process taking the second best team in the world to the wire.”
The Springbok Women had a training session against the top provincial team, Bulls Daisies, in Pretoria on Tuesday. Their team will be announced on Thursday.
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