CAPE TOWN -Springbok Women’s coach Swys de Bruin has applauded his team’s performance despite their defeat to New Zealand’s Black Ferns XV.
The Springbok Women fell 26-34 to the Black Ferns XV in the opening clash of their two-match international series at Athlone Stadium on Saturday.
Six tries from the visitors were enough to secure the win, despite a superb second-half performance by the Bok Women, who came close to breaking New Zealand’s hearts on the night.
While De Bruin urges South Africa to be more clinical, he’s proud of their display against a formidable Black Ferns XV.
“My gut feels a feeling of being very proud they came at us that first half, they took us wide, they played brilliant rugby,” said de Bruin.
“The way we came back in the second half, three, four scoring chances that we slipped as well, could have been so different.
“So, from my heart, very proud. I’m glad what happened at halftime, because we just went back to what we know.
“The physical stuff, direct, play hard off nine, and patience. And we had a slogan all week, which was to finish – And we put emphasis on finish the job, finish the job.”
The Bok Women’s bomb squad came off the bench with purpose, lifting the team’s intensity and shifting the game’s momentum.
Centre Aphiwe Ngwevu praised the bench’s influence, saying it’s the result of consistent hard work behind the scenes.
“Coming off the bench, it was not easy, it was tough,” she said.
“The game was high, but the coach always told us that we have to finish. So, that’s what we have to do as a bomb squad.”
Image: @WomenBoks/ Twitter.
