The Springbok Women will have a new-look starting XV and two first-time Test captains for their second WXV Global Series clash against Italy on Saturday.
Unam Tose returns at scrumhalf and will share the captaincy with Sizo Solontsi in Pordenone. Lerato Makua and Alichia Arries also return after missing last week’s Wales defeat through injury.
It will be a first Test captaincy for both, although Solontsi previously led the Springbok Women’s Sevens side.
Regular captain Babalwa Latsha is among six starters from Wales who move to the bench.
Only three backs retain their starting positions. Maceala Samboya remains at outside centre, while Maria Tshiremba moves from the right to the left wing and Byrhandré Dolf shifts from fullback to flyhalf.
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Arries starts, Tose returns at scrumhalf and Shiniqwa Lamprecht comes in at inside centre. Jakkie Cilliers is promoted from the bench to fullback, with Felicia Jacobs, Libbie Janse van Rensburg and Aphiwe Ngwevu among the replacements.
The pack has been completely reshuffled, with Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Anushka Groenewald and Yonela Ngxingolo forming a new front row.
Ngxingolo earns her 48th cap and remains the second-most capped Springbok Women player. Catha Jacobs moves from flanker to lock alongside Vainah Ubisi after Danelle Lochner’s red card was rescinded.
Makua starts at blindside flank, while Aseza Hele returns at No 8. Logan Welman moves to the bench.
Co-head coach Franzel September said the changes form part of the squad’s longer-term planning ahead of the 2028 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
“We were stung in Cardiff, but no player has been dropped as such for this match against Italy,” said September.
“We were always going to test combinations, bring players back from injury and give newer players more Test match opportunities.”
The core approach against a strong Italian side will remain intact, he added, particularly at set-piece, while personnel changes will bring adjustments in attack and the kicking game.
SPRINGBOK WOMEN – 15 Jakkie Cilliers, 14 Alichia Arries, 13 Maceala Samboya, 12 Shiniqwa Lamprecht, 11 Maria Tshiremba, 10 Byrhandré Dolf, 9 Unam Tose (c), 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Lerato Makua, 6 Sizophila Solontsi (c), 5 Catha Jacobs, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 2 Anushka Groenewald, 1 Yonela Ngxingolo.
Bench: 16 Micke Gunter, 17 Sanelisiwe Charlie, 18 Babalwa Latsha, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Logan Welman, 21 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 22 Felicia Jacobs, 23 Libbie Janse van Rensburg.
Photo: Sydney Seshibedi/Gallo Images
The post Revamped Bok Women get new leadership appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.
The Springbok Women will have a new-look starting XV and two first-time Test captains for their second WXV Global Series clash against Italy on Saturday.
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