Babalwa Latsha will lead the Springbok Women in the first of two international friendlies against the Blacks Ferns XV on Saturday, with both matches to be played at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.
Latsha is one of only four starters in the pack that will wear the same jersey again following their last match, two weeks ago against Canada in Gqeberha, while Springbok Women performance coach Swys de Bruin also made numerous changes to his backline.
Latsha will pack down with Sanelisiwe Charlie and Micke Gunter in the front row again, but a new lock pairing will run out at Athlone Stadium.
Vainah Ubisi makes a welcome return from injury to the green and gold, having last played for the Springbok Women in last year’s WXV 2 at the same venue, while Anathi Qolo returns to the team she captained at the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Madagascar last month.
Aseza Hele is the other forward who will again wear her regular No 8 jersey, but she will be joined by flankers Lerato Makua and Faith Tshauke in a new-look loose trio. Makua played off the bench in both tests against Canada, while Tshauke’s last test match was also in Madagascar.
The backline contains a number of familiar faces, although in different combinations, with only Jakkie Cilliers starting in the same position she did in Pretoria and Gqeberha.
Tayla Kinsey and Libbie Janse van Rensburg will combine as the halfback pairing, with Eloise Webb shifting to outside centre next to Chumisa Qawe.
Nadine Roos moves to fullback while Maceala Samboya is back at left wing, having last played there against England Under-20 during their tour to France and Spain in April.
Roseline Botes, Mary Zulu and Aphiwe Ngwevu have been named on the bench, having all last played in Madagascar.
De Bruin said some of the changes were pre-determined, while pointing out that Nolusindiso Booi, Sizophila Solontsi, Danelle Lochner, Byrhandré Dolf and Ayanda Malinga are all recovering from niggles following the Test at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium.
“We wanted to make sure that everyone in the assembled group gets game time, while we also have the luxury of another match next weekend, where those with niggles can get a run as well,” said De Bruin.
“We have made good strides this far and we are improving. The Black Ferns XV will be tough opponents, but that is why we wanted them here.
“We don’t play against the top sides enough, so like we were against Canada, we will be tested in numerous areas of the game. The coaching staff are keen to see how this group of players respond to the challenges that the New Zealand side will bring.”
SPRINGBOK WOMEN’S TEAM TO FACE THE BLACK FERNS XV IN CAPE TOWN: 15 Nadine Roos, 14 Jakkie Cilliers, 13 Eloise Webb (vice-captain), 12 Chumisa Qawe, 11 Maceala Samboya, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Tayla Kinsey, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Lerato Makua, 6 Faith Tshauke, 5 Anathi Qolo, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Babalwa Latsha (captain), 2 Micke Gunter 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie
REPLACEMENTS: 16 Roseline Botes, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 20 Catha Jacobs, 21 Mary Zulu, 22 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 23 Zintle Mpupha