Very few women’s players – if anyone – have studied the Loftus Versfeld uprights with more intent in recent years that Springbok Women and Bulls Daisies kicking ace, Jakkie Cilliers.
The wing and sometimes outside centre is the first-choice goal kicker for both teams, but where she never lined up a kick in green and gold at this historic venue, she has had ample opportunities to kick for points in blue.
Cilliers hopes her name is read out on Thursday when the team is announced for the first Test against Canada – the Bok Women’s second ever at Loftus Versfeld.
If she is in the match-23, it will be the second time she takes on the North Americans and this time, Cilliers believes, a better result is a distinct possibility.
Two years ago, Cilliers was part of the squad that lost 66-7 to Canada in Madrid. She is a perfectionist when it comes to her kicking, and she hopes to have a chance to make up for penalty attempt she missed in the Spanish capital.
“I am kicking well again,” said Cilliers. “I did go through a bit of a tough patch and had help from a couple of people, but on our recent tour to Europe, coach Swys de Bruin just tweaked something small and suddenly I am kicking them from all over the place again.
“Loftus is not the easiest place to play, especially if you are not used to the altitude and once that gets to you, it is tough.
“We are aware of the fact that Canada have travelled all this way and might not quite be used to playing at this altitude, so we are planning to use that to our advantage.”
Cilliers is not only banking on a good kicking display but also using the knowledge of the playing surface.
“Most of our players know the surface well, how the ball bounces and even how easy it is to lose your footing, so that is something that could add to the small margins in any game,” she said.
“We know Canada are really playing well but having firsthand knowledge of the stadium and the surface and being used to the altitude, will certainly be to our benefit.”
Cilliers said they are aware of the Canadian opponents: “At least four of our team played in England where a lot of the Canadians also play their rugby, so that feedback is always helpful. Also, like in my case, I follow some of their players on Instagram and got to know they style of play quite well.
“Obviously, we study clips and analysis, but I also like to have a look myself. One of my favourites is Alexandra Tessier, who plays inside centre. I started following her a couple of years back as she is also a left-footed kicker, so I have followed her and whenever Exeter played either Harlequins, Leicester or Ealing Trailfinders, I watched her as well.”
Cilliers said the feedback from their England-based players reminded them why The Canadians are currently ranked second in the world.
“They have a lot of individual stars and when they come together, things happen,” she said. “But we have laid out a plan and come Saturday at Loftus with the crowd and altitude on our side, we are certainly hoping to spring a big surprise.”
In a forced change to the squad that assembled in Johannesburg on Sunday, Lindelwa Gwala had to be replaced by Roseline Botes, who played in the 2022 Rugby World Cup and has amassed 23 Test caps, scoring 45 points (9 tries) in the process. The DHL Western Province hooker arrived in Johannesburg late on Monday afternoon.
Congo Wire
Japan was the first Asian nation to reach the knockout stages of the Rugby World Cup – In 2019, Japan hosted the Rugby World Cup. Not only were they the first Asian nation to host they Rugby World Cup, they also shocked the world by beating Scotland to reach the knockout stages for the first time in history. Though they were eventually stopped by South Africa in the quarter-finals, they stole our hearts with the way they played. They also showed that taking rugby to new nations is the way forward to grow the game’s popularity.
Doughboy
In rugby union, the fastest try ever scored in an international test match was by Daisuke Ohata of Japan, who crossed the try line just 7.2 seconds after the opening kickoff against Wales in 2004.