Springbok Women lose captain Latsha to ankle injury ahead of Ireland home series

South Africa’s Babalwa Latsha has been ruled out of the Springbok Women’s home WXV Global Series against Ireland after the captain sustained an ankle injury during the team’s 20-0 victory over Spain in Seville in early October. The tighthead prop was withdrawn from the squad at the end of a training camp in Stellenbosch, leaving co-head coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September to reshuffle their leadership ahead of two matches at Cape Town’s Athlone Stadium.

Back-row forward Sizophila Solontsi has been appointed sole captain for the series. The 2024 Olympian had already shared captaincy duties during the WXV Global Series, co-leading South Africa alongside scrum-half Unam Tose in their 41-29 win over Italy in Pordenone.

Latsha’s absence is not the only injury concern for the Springboks. Nombuyekezo Mdliki has also been ruled out of the home Tests after suffering a rib injury against Spain, while Ayanda Malinga was already unavailable when the squad for the home leg was first announced.

To cover the mounting absentees, Johannes-Haupt and September have called up Anacadia Minnaar and Insaaf Levy. Minnaar had narrowly missed South Africa’s European tour after being ruled out at the last minute, with Felicia Jacobs brought in as her replacement on that trip — Jacobs started the 50-19 defeat to Wales and featured off the bench against Italy and Spain. Levy brings recent experience from two Rugby Africa Women’s Cup appearances in May and a tour to Brazil with South Africa Women ‘A’ two months ago.

The two-match series takes place on 24 October and 31 October, with Ireland coached by Scott Bemand.