The Springbok women have announced their squad for Friday's opening match of the WXV Global Series against Wallis at Cardiff Arms Park, with Maria Tshiremba, Felicia Jacobs and Logan Welman all included in the starting lineup.
Kick-off is at 20:00 South African time.
Welman starts at number eight and swaps places with Aseza Hele, who will play from the replacements bench. This is the only change to the starting lineup that played against the Black Ferns in Johannesburg two weeks ago.
There are more changes in the backs. Jacobs and Tshiremba return to the starting lineup after they did not play in the match against the Black Ferns.
Tshiremba scored a hat-trick on her test debut against Fiji last month.
Maceala Samboya retains the outside centre jersey after she came off the bench against the Black Ferns to replace the injured Zintle Mpupha. She forms the centre partnership with Aphiwe Ngwevu.
Springbok women building towards 2029
Franzel September, assistant coach of the Springbok women, says the changes form part of the squad's plan to develop greater depth and give more players the opportunity to start at test level.
"We are already well on track towards the 2029 Women's World Cup, not just with our planning, but also by giving players experience at the highest level – something this WXV Global Series will provide," September said.
According to him, the opening match is important to set the tone for the remaining two matches.
September expects a particularly big battle between the two teams' forwards.
"It will be big in the set pieces, as both teams are strong in that area. I am pleased with our progress in that part of our play in the eight matches we have played this year, but we know Wallis will ask different questions here in Cardiff."
Latsha leads the squad
Babalwa Latsha, who made her test debut at Cardiff Arms Park in 2018, will lead the Springbok women again. Libbie Janse van Rensburg is the deputy captain.
Latsha is already the Springbok women's most experienced tighthead prop, while Lindelwa Gwala is the most experienced hooker since South Africa's first women's test in 2004 – also against Wallis.
Ngwevu has played more tests at inside centre than any other Springbok woman, while Janse van Rensburg can further improve her test record of 221 points.
Tshiremba, Patience Mokone and Welman will meanwhile participate in a WXV campaign for the first time.
Springbok women's squad
Starting lineup: 15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Maria Tshiremba, 13 Maceala Samboya, 12 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 11 Ayanda Malinga, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Felicia Jacobs, 8 Logan Welman, 7 Catha Jacobs, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Danelle Lochner, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Babalwa Latsha (captain), 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie.
Replacements: 16 Micke Gunter, 17 Xoliswa Khuzwayo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Aseza Hele, 21 Sinelitha Noxeke, 22 Jakkie Cilliers, 23 Patience Mokone.
The match is the first between South Africa and Wallis since 2021.
Source: SA Rugby Communications
This article is an automatic English translation of a Nuusflits article originally published in Afrikaans. Read the Afrikaans original.
