USA Women's Eagles make seven changes to face Springbok Women in Pretoria decider

The USA Women’s Eagles will line up with seven changes for their second Test against the Springbok Women in Pretoria on Saturday, as head coach Jack Hanratty responds to a 34-21 defeat at Ellis Park in Johannesburg last weekend.

Despite the loss, all three try scorers from that opening Test — Ashley Cowdrey, Elizabeth Cook and Freda Tafuna — retain their places and are named in the starting XV.

In the pack, Cook earns her first USA start, while Reece Woods drops to the replacements bench. Emerson Allen is promoted into the second row, and Hann Humphreys comes in at back-row in place of Kate Zackary.

In the backs, Olivia Ortiz and Kristin Bitter form the starting half-back partnership. Bella Vogel is named at inside centre alongside Tessa Hann, while Telesi Uhatafe moves to the wing to complete a back three with Bulou Mataitoga and Cowdrey.

Hooker Chloe Hill-Huse is set to make her Eagles debut from the bench, which also includes Kapoina Bailey, Katana Howard and Alev Kelter.

Hanratty acknowledged that South Africa’s intensity caught his side off guard in the first Test but expressed confidence in his squad’s ability to respond. “Ellis Park delivered the challenge we expected from South Africa,” he said. “They opened with ferocity and intent and we didn’t match it. We had some good impact from some of our less experienced players but ultimately it was moments and not momentum.”

“Looking ahead at Pretoria, our focus all week has been on executing excellence and delivering for the full 80 minutes, and we’re excited to see this group chase the result we know we are capable of,” Hanratty added. “This group is brilliant at learning from moments and we learned a lot on Saturday. The challenge now will be how much we learned from this week of learning.”