Springbok Women wing Maria Tshiremba has made a seamless transition from sevens to fifteens rugby, scoring four tries in her first two Tests. The 30-year-old made her Test debut in Fiji last month, scoring a hat-trick of tries to help the Springbok Women close out their Pacific tour with a 2-0 series win. Tshiremba's impressive start has eased concerns about her ability to adapt to the 15-a-side format.
Tshiremba's latest outing was a 50-19 defeat against Wales, where she scored a try early in the second half. However, the result was not reflective of the team's abilities, and Tshiremba expressed frustration, saying she was "quite angry" after the game. The Welsh game is now behind them, and Tshiremba is focused on their upcoming match against Italy in Pordenone.
The Springbok Women are currently preparing for their second Test on their WXV Global Series tour against Italy. Tshiremba has never faced Italy before, but she is confident that her team knows what to expect. Most of the players have experience playing against Italy in previous matches, including the WXV in Cape Town in 2024 and the Rugby World Cup in York, where South Africa emerged victorious.
Tshiremba believes that transitioning from sevens to fifteens is easier than the other way around. She had little difficulty adjusting her defensive alignment, citing similarities between the two formats. In sevens, Tshiremba often faces similar defensive scenarios as in fifteens, where opponents try to create overlaps.
Italy is known for attacking through the wide channels, and Tshiremba emphasized the need for the team to be alert and aligned. Her pace on attack is expected to be a significant threat, and Tshiremba is determined to find space and make an impact. She believes that finding space is part of her job as a winger.
The Springbok Women recognize the need for a good performance after the defeat against Wales, and their training session on Tuesday was intense and focused. Tshiremba expressed confidence that the team can deliver on the day, and they are preparing well for the match against Italy. The match-23 to face Italy will be announced on Thursday.
Tshiremba is looking forward to facing Italy, hoping to surprise them with her pace and agility. She prefers to face a team that doesn't know her, and she is eager to make an impact on Saturday. With her experience in sevens and her impressive start in fifteens, Tshiremba is set to be a key player for the Springbok Women in their upcoming match against Italy.
Key points
- Maria Tshiremba has scored four tries in her first two Tests for the Springbok Women.
- Tshiremba is confident that she can find space and make an impact on attack against Italy.
- The Springbok Women are preparing for their second Test on their WXV Global Series tour against Italy in Pordenone.
