As a back-row player of some standing herself, it is no surprise that Scotland women’s Jade Konkel was delighted to meet South Africa men’s captain Siya Kolisi on Saturday and she feels his support for the women’s game is very important.

In 30-degree heat at the Athlone Sports Stadium in Cape Town, Scotland built on their opening WXV 2 win over Italy with a hard-fought 19-13 triumph over Japan.

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That, plus Australia’s 33-26 win over South Africa later in the day, means Scotland’s match against the Australians this coming weekend is effectively a ‘winner takes all’ final as Bryan Easson’s side look to retain the title.

As the Scotland-Japan game was played in such heat, there were water breaks every 20 minutes and a number of other stoppages.

Every time that was the case the television cameras would pan to two-time Rugby World Cup winner and 89-capper Kolisi in the stands engaging with supporters and it was great to see the 33-year-old back-rower there.

Konkel, the 30-year-old number eight who now has 65 caps herself, managed to get a photo with him during the day and said:  “It was really cool to see him at the game and he is a big advocate for women’s rugby.

“He is always shouting about the women’s Springboks and sharing things on social media and that is so cool because he has a big following.

“He is genuinely supportive and knows his stuff about the women’s game.

“It was nice to see him putting out an in-depth video about him coming along before the games on Saturday and when a legend like that is talking about women’s rugby it can only help the growth.”

The whole Scotland squad met Kolisi while Scottish Olympic rowing great Dame Katherine Grainger was also spotted in the crowd so it was a day for celebrities in South Africa.

In terms of the Japan game itself, Konkel stated:  “It was really tough, the heat played a massive part in it, us Scots aren’t used to it being this hot.

"It was tough, Japan were good, they put us under a lot of pressure and they made it a really difficult fight, but we got the result in the end that we needed.

“I think as a squad we are our own worst critics and we set high standards. We are probably all a bit disappointed after the Japan game, but just because we know we are capable of a lot more.

Jade Konkel in action against FijiJade Konkel in action against Fiji (Image: SNS)

“But Scotland a few years ago would maybe have fallen off the mark towards the end of that game, but we did what we could to get the win and the fact that we managed to hold Japan out at the end in that heat is testament to the hard work that we have put in of late.

“We are pleased to be two from two, but we are going to be looking to step it up against Australia.”

Second in the standings Scotland have not played table toppers Australia since the Rugby World Cup 2021 played in New Zealand in 2022.

Australia have had bonus point wins so far over Wales and South Africa, but Scotland have now won 12 of their last 15 Tests including three to lift the WXV 2 trophy 12 months ago.

“WXV is great for the women’s game and so is the competitive nature of the games,” Black Isle’s Konkel added looking ahead to next Saturday.

“We haven’t faced Australia since the World Cup so it is an exciting match to be looking forward to. They play a different way to other teams so it will be a test - coming away with the trophy would be the icing on the cake.”

Meanwhile, 63-capper Lisa Thomson has praised centre partner Meryl Smith for her player of the match showing against Japan.

Lisa Thomson attempts to stop Australia's Grace Hamilton during the sides' World Cup meeting in New ZealandLisa Thomson attempts to stop Australia's Grace Hamilton during the sides' World Cup meeting in New Zealand (Image: World Rugby via Getty Images) We are used to seeing Smith as an attacking threat, but at 13 she also defended well this time around and Thomson said of the 23-year-old Bristol Bear with 21 caps:  “It was good teaming up with her, Mez is a class player. She has come on so much in the last few years and she has such a good rugby head on her.

“She manages the game well and she has played all across the midfield and at 15, she can play anywhere and it is great playing with her.”

And 27-year-old Thomson, from Hawick, is now looking forward to the Australia showdown:  “I think it will be good for us going into that one that we really had to work here to close out the Japan game, a couple of years ago we probably wouldn’t have closed it out. 

"To now to have the mindset and confidence to keep possession, back ourselves, and keep going right until the end is good heading into a really big game.

"We just need to play in the right areas of the pitch because when we did that against Japan we did well, we just need to do it more often.

“It is an exciting challenge we are getting ready for.”