Babalwa Latsha will lead the Springbok Women into battle when they take on France in Northampton on Sunday, when Mary Zulu (flyhalf) and Anathi Qolo (lock) will make their Women’s Rugby World Cup debuts in the starting team in the Pool D decider at Franklin’s Gardens.
Latsha, the most capped prop in Bok Women history, will lead the team for the first time at this level as Swys de Bruin (head coach) made several changes to the side that beat Italy in York last weekend.
Apart from Zulu and Qolo, who will start at lock next to Vainah Ubisi, there will be first appearances at the 2025 WRWC for Luchell Hanekom (hooker), Xoliswa Khuzwayo (prop), Nomsa Mokwai (lock) and Faith Tshauke (loose forward), all of whom are set to make their tournament debuts from the bench.
The most capped scrumhalf in Springbok Women history, Tayla Kinsey, will also add a third Rugby World Cup arrow to her bow when she comes off the bench against France, a team she has faced four times before, including at the previous RWC, held in New Zealand in 2022, in what will be her 41st test cap.
In the backline, only Chumisa Qawe will be starting in the same jersey as last week, while Byrhandré Dolf and Nadine Roos return as fullback and scrumhalf respectively, having played on the wing and fullback against Italy.
Latsha and Aseza Hele (No 8) are the only forwards who started against Italy, with Qolo the only member of the pack who has not played in either of the first two matches.
De Bruin said the tweaks in combinations were based on a couple of factors, including the fact that they have already qualified for the quarterfinals next weekend.
“That was ideal for us, as we can now make sure that all the players in the squad will get game time before the quarterfinals, where we would love to select from 32 players eager and fit to play,” said De Bruin.
“We were guided by our medical team about the workload of certain players and that played a role as well.”
These include team captain Nolusindiso Booi, fellow lock Danelle Lochner, hooker Lindelwa Gwala, prop Sanelisiwe Charlie, flanker Sizophila Solontsi and backs Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Zintle Mpupha and Ayanda Malinga.
“We decided before the tournament even started that in an ideal world, by the end of the pool stage, all 32 players would have played a part in the match day squads and be serious contenders for a place in the quarterfinal squad and that worked out well for us,” added De Bruin, who said he was pleased that their original planning worked out and that all players will have a chance to play in the tournament.
“Our non-playing group in the first two games were excellent in their support and keeping everyone honest, so I am happy for them now getting a chance to play.
“That role is now taken over by those not selected for the weekend and they already got stuck in. They studied what France like to do and emulated that in our training sessions in order to help the match day squad. These players really work for each other and that makes the job a lot easier for everyone.”
De Bruin said the French have shown over many matches what they can do but he is backing his charges to continue their fine form in the tournament.
“They are so experienced playing at this level and have fantastic flair and attacking ability,” he said.
“That said, we did pick up potential areas where we can put them under pressure, with our scrums at the forefront of that plan, as well as a kicking strategy that could force a change in their standard set-up. It is such a great opportunity for our squad to be tested by one of the best teams in the world and we cannot wait.”
WOMEN TEAM: Byrhandré Dolf, Jakkie Cilliers, Eloise Webb, Chumisa Qawe, Maceala Samboya, Mary Zulu, Nadine Roos, Aseza Hele, Catha Jacobs, Lerato Makua, Anathi Qolo, Vainah Ubisi, Babalwa Latsha (captain), Micke Gunter, Yonela Ngxingolo. REPLACEMENTS: Luchell Hanekom, Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Nomsa Mokwai, Faith Tshauke, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Tayla Kinsey, Aphiwe Ngwevu.