Minor tweaks to Bok Women squad for Spain test

Babalwa Latsha is back as captain and tighthead prop for the Springbok Women’s test against Spain in Seville on Sunday, while Xoliswa Khuzwayo (prop) and Patience Mokone (wing) have also been included in the starting team for the final match of the team’s 2026 WXV Global Series tour to Europe.

Springbok Women co-coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September opted for continuity from last weekend’s team, but they also tweaked the bench from the side that beat Italy in front of their home fans for the first time.

Latsha swaps places with Nombuyekezo Mdliki, who will play off the bench, while Lindelwa Gwala and Danelle Lochner boost the bomb squad after missing out against Italy.

Gwala takes over the finishing role from Micke Gunter at hooker, while Lochner takes over from Nomsa Mokwai, who was one of the replacements against Wales and Italy. Yonela Ngxingolo, who started against Italy, will earn her 49th test cap off the bench, with Sanelisiwe Charlie not involved this weekend.

Mary Zulu, who joined the squad on Monday to replace the injured Libbie Janse van Rensburg, will cover flyhalf and fullback on the bench.

“With this being the final leg of our tour, it was another opportunity for us to freshen up our match-day squad before we head into the last two matches against Ireland in Cape Town,” said Johannes-Haupt.

“We were lucky to have played several matches this season already and that helped us to build depth. For this match, we wanted to give some players the chance to get a run and show us what they can do.

“Take, for example, the changes in the front row. Xoliswa comes in for Charlie, which shows the strength in the front row as we know each of those players gives us something different. For this match against Spain, we changed the dynamics slightly on how we want to play.”

Johannes-Haupt said the change on the wing was to give Mokone another run: “Both Patience and Maria excelled for our sevens team; they have a lot of speed, a good work rate and know exactly where they are on the field. So, for this week, Patience is getting a run, but how we want to play will not be different, as they are like for like.

“We are also happy to have Mary back; she did well for the ‘A’-side that played in Brazil recently and had no problems slotting into this team again. It shows the value of our academy set-up also, as she comes to us with good confidence of having played at a high level recently.”

Johannes-Haupth also feels that the victory against Italy will add a spring to their step, while the Spanish will present the Bok Women with a different challenge on Sunday.

“This match-day squad will benefit from the momentum created by the win against Italy,” she said.

“This team will not be much different in how we played against Italy, it is just a matter of those coming off the bench and those starting being tweaked slightly

“We still need to win the battle upfront, and we hope to give the backs the opportunity to play as well. What we have seen from the Spanish team is that they are also improving all the time, with a fast game that often involves their backs.”

The test against Spain kicks off at 12h00 (SA time) on Sunday and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

SPRINGBOK WOMEN'S TEAM TO FACE SPAIN IN SEVILLE:

15 Jakkie Cilliers (RC Toulon Provence Méditerranée) – 28 caps, 168 points (11 tries, 46 conversions, 7 penalty goals)

14 Alichia Arries (DHL Western Province) – 11 caps, 25 points (5 tries)

13 Maceala Samboya (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 13 caps, 30 points (6 tries)

12 Shiniqwa Lamprecht (Sanlam Boland Dames) - 4 caps, 0 points

11 Patience Mokone (SA Rugby contracted) - 6 caps, 20 points (4 tries)

10 Byrhandré Dolf (SA Rugby contracted) – 32 caps, 90 points (9 tries, 21 conversions, 1 penalty goal)

9 Unam Tose (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 33 caps, 17 points (3 tries, 1 conversion)

8 Aseza Hele (Sanlam Boland Dames) - 37 caps, 85 points (17 tries)

7 Lerato Makua (SA Rugby contracted) – 21 caps, 20 points (4 tries)

6 Sizophila Solontsi (SA Rugby contracted) – 38 caps, 50 points (10 tries)