Springbok Catha Jacobs: 'It’s the most important match in our history.'

“It’s the most important match in our history.” Catha Jacobs, South Africa’s imposing lock, doesn’t pull any punches when assessing the significance of her team’s upcoming Rugby World Cup game against Italy.

Having thumped Brazil 66-6 last weekend, a victory on Sunday would see the Springboks progress to the second round of the showpiece tournament for the first time.

“It’s massive, we all know how massive it is,” Jacobs says. “All our preparation, all the work we’ve been in over the past four years has pretty much been for this match. We’re not trying to big it up too much. It’s important that we treat it like any other game. But there’s no point in saying it’s not going to be huge.”

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What’s more, they have more than just a hope of winning it. Of course they’ll start as outsiders. The Springboks are ranked 12th in the world, four places behind Six Nations regulars Italy.

South Africa have never beaten the Azzure but came very close last October. They led 19-17 after 62 minutes in Cape Town during their WXV 2 clash, before two Beatrice Rigoni penalties proved the difference in a 23-19 defeat.

“A lot has happened since but we’ve taken lessons from that game,” Jacobs says. “We know that to beat these top teams we have to be on it throughout the 80 minutes. We’ve put that pressure on ourselves to play a complete game.”

This was evidenced in their sweep of Brazil. Even in the 79th minute with the scoreboard reading 59-6 there was a desire for more. Lerato Makua, on as a replacement, was belligerent as he wrestled for the ball after the whistle had blown. Her belligerence was rewarded as she intercepted an overthrown line-out to score a try seconds before the hooter.

There’s a balance between controlled aggression and losing one’s cool that must be maintained on the pitch. Jacobs doesn’t go so far as saying that South Africa’s women have been too nice in the past, but she recognises that the team’s improved performances over the past World Cup cycle have coincided with a psychological shift. They’re more confrontational, more aggressive, more willing to go to the dark places that men’s Springboks hooker Bongi Mbonambi would call “the gutter”.

“We’re not going out there to act in a certain way and be over the top,” Jacobs explains. “Some players are more naturally like that. I’m not really someone who gets angry but there’s room for those of us who are like that. I think it’s more a case of everyone buying into what we’re trying to do. If we feel a certain way on the field we have permission and freedom to express ourselves.

“Against the Black Ferns, Nadine Roos got super heated and pushed one of their players and they came back at her and it was always a scrap. It was like, ‘woah, that was unexpected’. But it’s just a sign of the passion we have. We care really deeply. But we know that passion doesn’t mean anything if we can’t back it up,”

Against Brazil the South Africans were direct and abrasive around the fringe, dominant at set-piece and spread the ball wide after sucking in defenders around the point of contact in midfield. This will likely be the approach for Italy which means the contest will be decided by whichever forward pack can seize ascendancy.

“That’s where most games are won,” Jacobs points out. “But this game will be an arm wrestle at times. We know they thrive off fast ball and have centres who can punch holes. So we’ll need to target the breakdown and do our best to get on top at the scrum and the line-out.”

In this year’s Six Nations Italy had a scrum success rate of 97%. Their line-out was among the best in the competition. Their forwards made 87% of their tackles, behind only the French and English.

Italy will start as firm favourites, looking to dictate tempo and stretch South Africa with width. With Alyssa D’Inca roaming at centre and Aura Muzzo lurking on the wing, they have the firepower to punish fractured defensive lines.

But the Springboks have their own levers to pull. Where Italy bring accuracy, South Africa bring impact. They have faith in their bench and, like the men’s team, have taken a shine to the famed ‘bomb squad’ approach.

Against Brazil, South Africa emptied the bench with eight replacements, Jacobs among them, entering the scene on 50 minutes. If South Africa slow the ball, dominate collisions, and sap Italy’s legs in the tight exchanges, then the extra energy off the pine might tip the balance.

Fixture

Women's Rugby World Cup

Italy Women

24 - 29

Full-time

South Africa Women

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“We can’t wait” Jacobs says. “None of us are scared or daunted. We know how important this is. We have a chance of doing something really special. As a professional athlete that’s what you want, it’s why you play the game. Pressure doesn’t even come into it. In South Africa pressure means something else. Playing rugby for your country is a privilege. All of us just want to get out there and give our best.”

Will it be good enough? It might. Anything less, though, will likely end in failure which would then mean a win against France would become non-negotiable. And even their best might not be enough against Les Bleues. This is it. This is the moment we find out what this side is all about.

Springbok Women’s team v Italy:

15 Nadine Roos – 19 caps
14 Byrhandré Dolf – 23 caps
13 Zintle Mpupha – 27 caps
12 Chumisa Qawe – 22 caps
11 Ayanda Malinga – 15 caps
10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg – 28 caps, 219 points
9 Unam Tose – 28 caps, 12 points
8 Aseza Hele – 29 caps, 80 points
7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa – 39 caps, 55 points
6 Sizophila Solontsi – 29 caps, 45 points
5 Danelle Lochner – 20 caps, 10 points
4 Nolusindiso Booi (captain) – 53 caps, 5 points
3 Babalwa Latsha (vice-captain) – 37 caps, 30 points
2 Lindelwa Gwala – 36 caps, 75 points
1 Sanelisiwe Charlie – 27 caps, 10 points

Replacements:
16 Micke Gunter – 14 caps
17 Yonela Ngxingolo – 36 caps
18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki – 6 caps
19 Vainah Ubisi – 19 caps
20 Lerato Makua – 16 caps
21 Catha Jacobs – 23 caps
22 Eloise Webb – 17 caps
23 Aphiwe Ngwevu – 28 caps