Springbok Women name experience-heavy XV to face Black Ferns under new co-coaches

South Africa will field 11 of the starting XV that faced New Zealand in last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final when the Springbok Women meet the Black Ferns at FNB Stadium in Soweto on Saturday, part of a Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry doubleheader. The match comes days after head coach Swys de Bruin left his role, leaving assistant coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September to lead the side as co-coaches.

Six forwards and five backs from the World Cup last-eight encounter retain their places, with Babalwa Latsha captaining the side from tighthead prop. The continuity reflects a deliberate selection philosophy from the new co-coaching team, who believe the squad’s accumulated experience gives them the platform to execute a defined game plan.

“We have managed to build some extra depth since that match earlier this season when we played in the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup and the two series against the USA Eagles Women and Fijiana,” said Johannes-Haupt. “We believe this is the right squad for this game, and we go to FNB Stadium with a very specific game plan in mind.”

Johannes-Haupt was clear that South Africa’s selection was driven by how they want to play rather than by any reaction to New Zealand’s squad. “We have certain characteristics as Springbok Women and that include being very physical in our first phase, so there is no reason to move away from that. We are aware of what the Black Ferns will bring, but selected this group because we want to play a certain way, not in reaction to who might be in their team.”

The full match-day squad sees Byrhandré Dolf at fullback, with Alichia Arries and Ayanda Malinga on the wings and Zintle Mpupha and Aphiwe Ngwevu in the centre. Libbie Janse van Rensburg starts at fly-half alongside scrum-half Unam Tose. In the pack, Sanelisiwe Charlie and Latsha flank hooker Lindelwa Gwala, with Vainah Ubisi and Danelle Lochner locking the scrum. Sizophila Solontsi, Catha Jacobs, and Aseza Hele complete the back row.