Latsha leads as uncapped Tshiremba is named for Lautoka test

Babalwa Latsha will return to lead the Springbok Women in their second match against the Fijiana XV in Lautoka on Saturday, with Maria Tshiremba has been included at wing in what will be her test debut for South Africa at Churchill Park.

Latsha missed last weekend’s 55-12 win over their hosts in Suva, but is back in the starting team, which shows four changes to the backline and two to the forwards for the second test on this historic tour.

The South African captain will start at tighthead prop in place of Nombuyekezo Mdliki, who reverts to the bench, while flanker Catha Jacobs replaces Lerato Makua, who picked up a knee injury in Suva.

Among the backs, a new centre combination in Zintle Mpupha and Maceala Samboya opened starting opportunities for both Tshiremba and Alichia Arries, who swops places with Patience Mokone, with the latter named on the bench this weekend.

Mpupha moves from outside to inside centre and Samboya from wing to outside centre, while Shiniqwa Lamprecht will play off the bench for what could be a hybrid option to the coaching staff.

Bok Women assistant coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt said the selections and changes were done with building depth in mind, as well as expanding options within the team, which is why they decided on the new midfield combination and giving Tshiremba a first start.

The speedster, who has scored 64 tries in the 20 tournaments she has played for the Springbok Women’s Sevens, will become the 195th capped player in Springbok Women history.

“We can’t wait to see her go, with her great speed and how we hope to execute on the weekend, Maria will have an important role to play,” said Johannes-Haupt, who added that they have the option to use Lamprecht among the loose forwards as a replacement without elaborating too much on their tactics with the bench players.

“Shiniqwa gives us that option of going with a split of six forwards and two backs on the bench, but obviously she can also play in the centres, where she did very well last weekend on debut. We will see how the match develops and what we need to do, if anything, when we activate our bench.”

Johannes-Haupt added that the return of Latsha is a plus and will add to their objectives of dominating the forward battles.

“We saw what worked for us last weekend, but we also want to try new things, and Babalwa’s experience and calmness will make that possible. It is great to have her back, while we must also acknowledge the leadership group and how they back the coaches and their plans.”

Springbok Women team to Fiji in Lautoka:

15 Byrhandré Dolf (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 28 caps, 77 points (8 tries, 17 conversions, 1 penalty goal)

14 Alichia Arries (DHL Western Province) – 8 caps, 25 points (5 tries)

13 Maceala Samboya (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 9 caps, 25 points (5 tries)

12 Zintle Mpupha (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) - 30 caps, 106 points (20 tries, 3 conversions)

11 Maria Tshiremba (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – uncapped

10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 33 caps, 221 points (14 tries, 56 conversions, 12 penalty goals, 1 drop goal)

9 Anacadia Minnaar (EP Queens) – 7 caps, 3 points (1 penalty goal)

8 Aseza Hele (Sanlam Boland Dames) - 33 caps, 85 points (17 tries)

7 Catha Jacobs (Golden Lions Women) – 29 caps, 5 points (1 try)

6 Sizophila Solontsi (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 34 caps, 50 points (10 tries)

5 Nomsa Mokwai (DHL Western Province) – 18 caps, 0 points