'We did not play to our potential': Springboks determined to bounce back after Wales defeat

There was only one emotion the Springbok Women were feeling at the conclusion of their 50-19 loss to Wales: frustration.

Their first WXV Global Series 2026 fixture could not have gone worse.

After a Test series win against the Fijiana, a drawn series with the USA Women’s Eagles and a promising performance against the Black Ferns in Soweto, there was hope that South Africa were going to set the world alight.

Sean Lynn’s Wales did not give an inch to South Africa. They had no answer for the physicality of their opponents and limited the visitors’ ability to make an impact.

Maceala Samboya’s 59th-minute stunner was a highlight amid an otherwise miserable night in South Wales.

“We did not play to our potential and that was frustrating – in fact, I was quite angry after the game,” Maria Tshiremba said.

Last week in Cardiff, the Springbok Women were well beaten by Wales. They had no answer for Wales’ physicality or their expansive, multi-phase attack.

The Springboks’ time in Europe does offer more opportunity for the world’s 10th-ranked team to get back to winning ways. This will include this weekend’s Test with Italy, before a trip to Seville to take on Spain’s Las Leonas.

Ahead of Saturday’s fixture, Junior Springbok assistant coach Melusi Mthethwa has joined up the squad to assist co-head coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September. Dave Wessels, SA Rugby’s general manager for high performance, will also join the team this week.

This weekend they face an Italy team that impressed in their first game with Plinio Sciamanna as head coach. The Azzurre scored nine tries to beat Japan 55-21 and get the home crowd excited for the start of a new era.

“We need to redeem ourselves and make a statement on this tour, and this weekend is that opportunity,” Ayanda Malinga said.

Last time the Springbok Women met Italy it was at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025. To say there were contrasting emotions at full-time at Franklin’s Gardens would be putting things mildly.

By the end of their Pool D clash, the Springbok Women had won 29-24 and progressed to the quarter-final stage of the competition. By contrast, a second loss of the tournament meant the Italians were heading home.

“That game will forever be in the memory bank, it was a special performance,” Malinga said.

“That said, this week we started with a different mindset and feeling after the defeat, which stung.

“Today’s session perked us up again, we got some nice work done with a lot of clarity on how we can beat Italy.”