JOHANNESBURG :South Africa head to the Women’s Rugby World Cup in England this month without the same aura about them as the men’s team but with renewed belief having shown rapid improvement in the last 12 months under coach Swys de Bruin.

The Springbok men have a record four World Cup titles, including the last two, with the famous green and gold jerseys entrenched in the everyday lives of many South Africans, who live and breathe every kick, pass and try.

The women’s team have traditionally not enjoyed the same popularity, but under De Bruin results have picked up markedly, including a 41-24 victory against a New Zealand Black Ferns XV in Cape Town earlier this month.

South Africa are in a World Cup pool with powerhouse France, Italy and Brazil. The game against the Italians at York C

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