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Improved Skills Will Be Key for Black Ferns Clash

They pride themselves on their physicality and enjoy that aspect of rugby a lot, but the Springbok Women are also upskilling in other areas of their game, with that improved skill set to be tested against the Blacks Ferns on Saturday.

According to Catha Jacobs, the historic clash at FNB Stadium on Saturday will not only be a long awaited “second bite at the cherry” for the hosts, but also to test their improvement in different areas of the game.

“We left the field frustrated after the [Women’s Rugby World Cup] quarter-final clash against the Black Ferns last September in Exeter,” said the Bok Women utility forward on Tuesday.

“It was great to have made the last eight for the first time ever and even better to be 10-10 at halftime with a team that dominated World Cups over decades. That second half did not go our way and we were frustrated afterwards, wishing we could turn back the clock.”

This once-off Test – played as a double header with the Springboks and All Blacks as part of the Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry – provides an unexpected opportunity to have that second opportunity against the team in second place on the world rankings.

Jacobs was impressed with the variety in play the Springbok Women showcased against the USA Women’s Eagles in July and the clean sweep tour to Fiji last month, having moved to sevens post the Rugby World Cup and then returning to the fifteens fray.

“I joined the sevens after the Women’s Rugby World Cup and played in the various HSBC SVNS tournaments, which was great for my conditioning, but also my skill level, which improved as well,” Jacobs explained.

“There is no doubt in my mind that I have benefitted hugely from being with the sevens group and I can feel that in my fifteens play over the last couple of Test matches.

“We are certainly continuing our upward curve that started in the lead up to the World Cup and having several of those sevens teammates in the mix, certainly added to our improved ability. We will never move away from our strengths in the first phase and our physicality, but we did add some variety in our play.”

The fact that Fiji and USA both played in the World Cup as well and being subdued by the Bok Women was a boost, Jacobs said: “They had some good performances in the World Cup as well, but I believe we improved most of the three. That belief will be tested on Saturday, but then, that is what Test rugby is all about.”

Jacobs looks set to be named for her 31st Test cap when the team is announced on Thursday. She has played lock, flanker and No 8 in her Springbok career and does not mind playing in any of those positions.

“Playing for the Springbok Women remains a massive honour and if I am selected for this weekend’s historic match, it will be amazing, also given the fact that I play with the Golden Lions Women in the provincial competition, so I will represent the province as well,” she said.

The Test between the Bok Women and the Black Ferns kicks off at 13h30 and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Source – MyZA

Free Johannesburg Press Release Submissions from MyPR.co.za

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The Maboneng Precinct: Architecture

Maboneng is architecturally distinct because it rejects the “demolish and rebuild” philosophy. Instead, it embraces adaptive reuse. The Bioscope, South Africa’s only independent cinema, operates out of an old industrial space; The Living Room is a lush rooftop oasis that offers panoramic views of the skyline from atop a concrete shell; and the Museum of African Design (MOAD) was housed in a massive 1970s warehouse. This aesthetic—exposed brick, industrial steel, and vibrant street art—has become the visual shorthand for “cool” Johannesburg. The murals here are particularly significant; they aren’t just decoration but are often massive social commentaries by local and international street artists like Faith47 and ROA, turning the very walls of the city into a public gallery.

However, Maboneng is also at the center of a complex debate regarding gentrification and social integration. Critics argue that while the precinct is a “bubble” of safety and creativity, it often stands in stark contrast to the surrounding poverty of the inner city. The challenge for Maboneng has always been how to be an engine for economic growth without alienating the residents who lived there during the “dark” years. In response, many initiatives within the precinct focus on local entrepreneurship, such as the Market on Main, which provides a platform for local food vendors and designers every Sunday.