Scotland go into today’s WXV2 match against South Africa in a good place both psychologically and physically.
They have won their last three matches - narrowly against Italy, and then by an average of four full scores against Ireland and Spain - thanks to their superior game management and fitness.
However, all three of those games were at home, and the Scots began the last two slowly. And, as they made final preparations yesterday for this afternoon’s pool game in Stellenbosch, centre Lisa Thomson warned that they will need to be on their mettle right from kick-off against the tournament hosts.
“We’re looking for an 80-minute performance,” she said. “South Africa are a hugely physical team and they’re going to come out of the blocks hard, so we’re going to have to weather that storm.
“The Ireland and Spain games didn’t start too well, so we’re looking to start well. For example, against Spain, they scored first and it was a hard first half.
"So it’s about being in those situations more often, getting used to them, and getting 80-minute performances.
“It’s about getting used to winning, and making winning a bit of a habit - whether that’s staying ahead and closing games out, or coming back from behind.
"It’s about being in those situations more often and getting comfortable with dealing with different scenarios.”
The squad have benefited from significantly improved fitness levels since the vast majority of them signed professional contracts last year, and the enhanced competition for places has enabled head coach Bryan Easson to have a proper full-game strategy for using his bench.
Thomson, who starts in the No 12 jersey this afternoon, was a substitute in the 36-5 win over the Spanish; today, back-row forward Jade Konkel is a key member of a bench that could have a decisive impact on the match, above all if it is close going into the closing quarter.
