3 days ago
Jakkie Cilliers' boot could be key to Bok Women's chances of success against Canada
Springbok Women and Bulls Daisies goal-kicking specialist Jakkie Cilliers is pleased with her recent return to form as the Boks gear up to take on Canada on Saturday at Loftus Versfeld.
Image: AYANDA NDAMANE Independent Newspapers
Springbok Women's goal-kicking ace Jakkie Cilliers' recent uptick in form could be crucial to the team's chances against Canada, and in the tight matches at the World Cup.
The 24-year-old wing, who sometimes plays at outside centre, is the first-choice goal kicker for the Boks and the Bulls Daisies.
The Springbok Men's team has demonstrated the value of an accurate goal kicker on the biggest stage of all, especially when matches are decided by one or two points. At the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, a hat-trick of one-point wins led them to a historic fourth title.
The Springbok Women, like the men, play a forwards-dominated game, and the ability to capitalise on the penalties that accrue from the often relentless pressure is crucial.
'I am kicking well again,' said Cilliers. 'I did go through a bit of a tough patch and had help from a couple of people, but on our recent tour to Europe, coach Swys de Bruin just tweaked something small and suddenly I am kicking them from all over the place again.'
Cilliers hopes her name is read out on Thursday when the team is announced for the first Test against Canada – the Bok Women's second at Loftus Versfeld. If she is in the matchday 23, it will be the second time she takes on the North Americans and this time, Cilliers believes, they have a chance to pull off a surprise win.
Two years ago, Cilliers was part of the squad that lost 66-7 to Canada in Madrid. She is a perfectionist when it comes to her kicking, and she hopes to have a chance to make up for the penalty attempt she missed in the Spanish capital.
Former England-based forward Catha Jacobs was able to offer her Springbok Women teammates valuable insights into Canada's players ahead of this Saturday's Test match.
Image: BackpagePix
Intimate knowledge of the home conditions will count in the left-footed kicker's favour. The clash at Loftus (1.30pm kick-off) will be the first between the Bok Women and the North Americans on South African soil.
'Loftus is not the easiest place to play, especially if you are not used to the altitude and once that gets to you, it is tough,' Cilliers said.
'Most of our players know the surface well, how the ball bounces and even how easy it is to lose your footing, so that is something that could add to the small margins in any game.
'We know Canada are really playing well but having firsthand knowledge of the stadium and the surface and being used to the altitude will certainly be to our benefit.'
Having played against most of the Canadian team on a regular basis in England, Springbok Women's utility forward Catha Jacobs is in a good position to act as a sounding board for her teammates.
Jacobs, who just completed a three-year stint with the Leicester Tigers Women, where she played with Canadian flyhalf Claire Gallagher – but also against 14 other Canadians plying their trade in the English league – had some good insights to share with the rest of the South African side.
'Individually, they are really skilful and one can see why – if you put them all in one team – they are number two in the world,' said Jacobs.
