De Bruin makes one Springbok change for second USA clash

The Springbok Women have made just one change to their starting side for the second Test against the USA Women’s Eagles on Saturday afternoon.

After she joined from the replacements last week at Ellis Park, Eloise Webb is handed a starting role at full-back by South Africa head coach Swys de Bruin. The 30-year-old will win her 22nd Springboks cap and replaces Byrhandré Dolf, who is rested, in the starting shirt.

Webb’s place among the replacements is taken by Maceala Samboya, who has not won a XVs cap since South Africa’s quarter-final exit against the Black Ferns at Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025.

In total there are five changes on the bench. This includes the introduction of Lerato Makua, Anacadia Minnaar, Nomsa Mokwai and Nombuyekezo Mdliki to the matchday 23 for the Pretoria clash with precedes South Africa’s clash with Scotland in the Nations Championship.

Swys de Bruin, Springbok Women head coach, said: “Dolf needed the rest and Eloise is more than capable playing in the spine, so she will slot in seamlessly.

“We wanted to give as many players in our group of 30 a run in this series, hence some changes on the bench. We were looking inward at what we want to achieve on the weekend when we selected the squad.”

Last time out the Springboks were 34-21 winners against the USA Women’s Eagles in Johannesburg. For the second Test, USA head coach Jack Hanratty has made seven changes to his starting XV, which includes the introduction of Kristin Bitter, Olivia Ortiz and Hann Humphreys.

Babalwa Latsha, Springbok Women captain, said: “We were happy with a lot of things that went well at Ellis Park, but we cannot fool ourselves thinking that will just flow over to Loftus.

“We will have to be at our very best if we want a repeat performance. The USA is a very good team, they showed that in the way they carved us up in that second half. They have very good players and we have prepared accordingly.”

Springbok Women matchday 23 v USA

15. Eloise Webb
14. Jakkie Cilliers
13. Ayanda Malinga
12. Aphiwe Ngwevu
11. Alichia Arries
10. Libbie Janse van Rensburg
9. Unam Tose
1. Sanelisiwe Charlie
2. Micke Gunter
3. Babalwa Latsha (C)
4. Vainah Ubisi
5. Danelle Lochner
6. Sizophila Solontsi
7. Catha Jacobs
8. Logan Welman

Replacements

16. Anushka Groenewald
17. Yonela Ngxingolo
18. Nombuyekezo Mdliki
19. Nomsa Mokwai
20. Lerato Makua
21. Sinelitha Noxeke
22. Anacadia Minnaar
23. Maceala Samboya