Springbok Women reshuffle front row for first Ireland Test in 20 years as captain Latsha ruled out

South Africa’s Springbok Women will take on Ireland at Athlone Stadium in the WXV Global Series 2026 without captain Babalwa Latsha, whose injury has prompted a significant front-row reshuffle ahead of the sides’ first meeting in 20 years.

Co-head coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September have moved Xoliswa Khuzwayo from her usual position to tighthead prop, with Sanelisiwe Charlie named at loosehead. Anushka Groenewald keeps her place at hooker, providing some continuity in a remodelled set piece.

September was measured in his assessment of the changes, pointing to the squad’s depth as a mitigating factor. “Tighthead is an important position in any team, even more so in our squad where we rate our scrums as a factor in any match, so having depth there worked out nicely for us,” he said. Both Khuzwayo and replacement loosehead Thandile Mazwi had already featured for the side this season, giving the coaches confidence in their readiness.

The match also carries a personal milestone. Replacement loosehead Yonela Ngxingolo, who has been part of the Springbok Women setup since 2018, is set to win her 50th cap — only the second player in the programme’s history to reach that mark. “We are extremely pleased for Yonela and her family and happy that she could share this milestone in front of what we hope to be a good crowd at Athlone Stadium,” September added.

Sizophila Solontsi captains the side from the back row alongside Lerato Makua and Aseza Hele, while Catha Jacobs and Vainah Ubisi form the second-row partnership. In the backs, Unam Tose starts at scrum-half with Byrhandré Dolf at fly-half. The only other change from the team that beat Spain 20-0 in their previous outing is the inclusion of Maria Tshiremba on the wing, completing a back three with Jakkie Cilliers and Alichia Arries. Shiniqwa Lamprecht and Maceala Samboya start in the centres.

South Africa go into the fixture with momentum from that shutout victory over Spain, and the coaching staff appear confident that the enforced changes up front will not derail their preparations for a fixture that carries both competitive and historical weight.