Springbok Women possess a significant bench depth, which will allow them to maintain forward pressure for all 80 minutes against Wales if required in the opening match of the WXV Global Series in Cardiff on Friday.
Co-coach Franzel September hinted at the possible use of the 'Bomb Queens' tactic to break down the home team's defense in the upcoming WXV Global Series match in Cardiff.
During an online briefing with vice-captain Libby Yanse van Rensburg and fullback Bayrandri Dolf, September emphasized that South Africa's success depends on the ability to control the physical confrontation throughout the entire match. By selecting a 6-2 substitution pattern, September expects the set-piece play to be the deciding factor in the match at Cardiff Arms Park.
September noted: 'We are proud of our set-piece play and that we enter the game with our strengths. Wales also has good set-piece play, so we believe we can match them in attack, where everything is decided. Having six forwards on the bench allows us to return to what we do best—we will see what happens when the 'Blom Squad' or 'Bomb Queens' come onto the field.' He added that they have also worked out ways to counter Wales' game, which likes to kick in, despite expecting opponents to play set-pieces.
This match marks a significant development for Springbok Women, who are entering the tournament supported by SA Rugby, which is quite different from previous European tours. Libby Yanse van Rensburg noted that previously the team relied on individual skill, whereas now the collective is more cohesive, and they have mastered their strengths.
Bayrandri Dolf supported this view, pointing to the growth of the squad since 2020 and the motivation to retaliate against the Welsh team, which dominated most previous encounters. Despite having momentum before the game, the squad remains composed after the intense match against the Black Ferns in Soweto.
September concluded that the team has learned lessons from that match, and now their focus is on winning the small things, maintaining concentration for all 80 minutes, and performing against Wales. The match is scheduled for Friday at 20:15 South African time at Cardiff Arms Park in Wales.