'We need those four tries at least' - Nolusindiso Booi

Springbok Women captain Nolusindiso Booi has issued a passionate call to arms to her teammates as they face a make-or-break game with Fiji in Pool C of the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.

A bonus point win against Fiji at Waitakere Stadium in Auckland on Sunday is being viewed as a ‘non-negotiable’ for the Springbok Women as they eye up a quarterfinal place.

“We need those four tries at least, but for a start, we will need to take every available point out there on Sunday. We simply cannot afford to waste scoring opportunities and we will take every chance to do so,” the captain explained her mindset for the game.

“I see our forwards as instrumental to this performance. We will have to put pressure on them through our set pieces and even score tries via that route. If we manage to get the upper hand in the scrums and lineouts, it will bring penalties our way and from those, we need to launch our point-scoring opportunities. We will either use our driving mauls, which proved highly effective against France last week, or kicking for points whenever we are in range for our kickers. Whatever option, it needs to bring points on the board,” Booi said.

“We are the chosen ones for this tournament,” said Booi. “People have put faith in us and trusted us to represent our country ,and to be an example to every young girl to show them what is possible. We cannot disappoint them, but even more importantly, we cannot disappoint ourselves. Each player worked so hard to be here, now we need to seize this opportunity. We worked too hard to be at this point, and not to give it all on Sunday will be such a waste of time. Each player has to ask herself, why am I here and how can I be at my very best in the match.”

The deal is a must-win for the Springbok Women. Victory sees them progress to the knockout stages, while defeat will see them exit at the pool stages.

“We want to showcase ourselves to the world by playing the best teams in the world,” said Booi, who made a team-high 14 tackles against France, missing just one attempt in the match. “We targeted a top-eight finish, and to get there we need to win this one. It cannot be clearer than that, and every player knows that now. It is now up to us to go and deliver.”