It has been a busy summer for the Springbok Women who wil face Wales in their opening WXV Global Series clash at the Arms Park on Friday night (18 September 7.15pm)
With a two-test series at home against the USA, a two-test series in Fiji, a fifth title in a row in the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup and then a home clash with New Zealand, the Springbok women have been warming up nicely as they go in search of their first win in Cardiff.
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They managed to tie the home series against the USA, won both Tests in Fiji and went three from three in the Africa Cup. They then went down to a 52-20 defeat to the Black Ferns in Soweto in a game that was played before the third game in the four-match, ‘Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry’ series between the Springboks and All Blacks.
The Junior Springbok Women also played two games against the USA U20 side to provide further international exposure for their younger players.
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23 May: South Africa 64 – 5 Madagascar
27 May: South Africa 47 – 20 Uganda
31 May: South Africa 35 – 20 Kenya
04 July: South Africa 34 – 21 USA
11 July: South Africa 19 – 26 USA
08 Aug: Fiji 12 – 55 South Africa
15 Aug: Fiji 22 – 29 South Africa
05 Sept: South Africa 20 – 52 New Zealand
The squad is now pretty well experienced in the rigours of Test rugby, with team captain, Babalwa Latsha (44), one of three players with more than 40 caps. There are also a core group of eight players in the 30-40 caps bracket.
Centre Zintle Mpupha has been ruled out by an ankle injury picked up against the Black Ferns and her place has been filled by Naima Hlatshwayo, who announced herself on the international stage by scoring two tries in three games in the Africa Cup.
After their final training session in Stellenbosch before heading to Wales, head coach Franzel September expressed satisfaction on the durability and experience of the selected squad.
“We’ve been building towards this tour for a while now, first with the introduction of new players at the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, then the USA incoming Tests, the tour to Fiji, and last weekend’s match against the Black Ferns,” said September, who is joined in the coaching duties by Laurian Johannes-Haupt.
“It was a pity to lose Zintle, but at the same time this creates a great opportunity for Naima. She was part of our squad in Kenya at the Africa Cup and was in the USA squad but unfortunately got injured at the time.
“The core of our squad has more than 20 caps, which reflects on our wider plan to build experience towards the next World Cup in 2029, while those with 10 caps or fewer point to our plans to bring in players that have been knocking on the door.
“We’ve won six of our eight Tests played this year, but we now step into the WXV Global Series, where you are playing the best of the best. We welcome that challenge, too.
“Every fixture matters and will be delivering meaningful international rugby every year and that is what makes it so exciting to be part of this global spectacle.”
Their tour kicks off with a Test against Wales at Cardiff Arms Park on 18 September, followed by Tests against Italy in Pordenone (26 September) and Spain in Seville (4 October). They then return home to prepare for two matches against Ireland in Cape Town (24 and 31 October).
Springbok Women WXV Global Series Squad
Backs (13)
Byrhandré Dolf (SA Rugby) – 30 caps, 81 points (8 tries, 19 cons, 1 pen)
Jakkie Cilliers (Toulon Provence Méditerranée) – 26 caps, 157 points (11 tries, 42 cons, 6 pens)
Alichia Arries (Western Province) – 10 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Maceala Samboya (Boland Dames) – 11 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies) – 36 caps, 85 points (17 tries)
Shiniqwa Lamprecht (Boland Dames) – 3 caps, 0 points
Naima Hlatshwayo (Bulls Daisies) – 3 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Patience Mokone (SA Rugby) – 5 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Maria Tshiremba (SA Rugby) – 1 cap, 15 points (3 tries)
Ayanda Malinga (SA Rugby) – 20 caps, 85 points (17 tries)
Libbie Janse van Rensburg (SA Rugby) – 35 caps, 221 points (14 tries, 56 cons, 12 pens, 1DG)
Unam Tose (Bulls Daisies) – 32 caps, 17 points (3 tries, 1 con)
Anacadia Minnaar (EP Queens) – 9 caps, 3 points (1 pen)
Forwards (17)
Xoliswa Khuzwayo (Golden Lions Women) – 14 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Sanelisiwe Charlie (Bulls Daisies) – 33 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Yonela Ngxingolo (Bulls Daisies) – 47 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies) – 16 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Babalwa Latsha (captain, Western Province) – 44 caps, 40 points (8 tries)
Lindelwa Gwala (Sharks Women) – 41 caps, 90 points (18 tries)
Anushka Groenewald (Western Province) – 11 caps, 0 points
Micke Gunter (Leicester Tigers) – 18 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Danelle Lochner (Harlequins) – 25 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Vainah Ubisi (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 27 caps, 45 points (9 tries)
Nomsa Mokwai (Western Province) – 20 caps, 0 points
Catha Jacobs (Golden Lions Women) – 31 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Sizophila Solontsi (SA Rugby) – 36 caps, 50 points (10 tries)
Sinelitha Noxeke (Bulls Daisies) – 9 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Lerato Makua (SA Rugby) – 20 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Logan Welman (Western Province) – 6 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Aseza Hele (Boland Dames) – 35 caps, 85 points (17 tries)