The Springbok Women face an unenviable task in taking on France in their Sevens World Cup opener, but are determined to use the element of surprise in front of their home support in Cape Town on Friday.
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South Africa’s Women’s Sevens team will take on the No 2-ranked France at 6:35pm on Friday as the curtain raiser to the final match of the day between the Blitzboks and Germany or Chile.
It will undoubtedly be a big challenge, but according to two of the more experienced members of the squad, Ayanda Malinga and Nadine Roos, the Springbok Women’s Sevens team won’t back down.
“We are going to bring it, people are doubting us, but we are going to bring it,” Malinga, who plays as a wing for the Springbok Women’s fifteens team, said.
“France don’t know us, and we don’t know them. I feel like it’s going to be a tough game, to be honest.”
Malinga said that having a number of regulars from the fifteens team will work in the sevens side’s favour.
“They are going to be physical, we have seen their scrums, but so will we,” Malinga added.
“I feel like it’s an advantage. In fifteens, you are in contact a lot, and while I feel like the two teams will balance it out, one needs to be better.”
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Roos revealed that the Imbokodo want to draw France into a physical contest.
“We want to attack them on their weak points and we have seen they struggle with a one-on-one battle,” explained Roos.
“We know they are a team that comes up very quickly on defence. We’re looking for those one-on-one battles with them. In our ranks are a few players who have good footwork and can kick the ball well.
“We’re a very physical team and that’s something we’re known for. If we can draw them in, I believe there will be outside space to attack.
“We would like to start with a bang to show the public and our supporters that we can also implement a winning culture,” added Roos.
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Photo: Gallo Images
