High-scoring sevens star Tshiremba will make Springbok debut against Fiji

Springbok Women’s Sevens flyer Maria Tshiremba will make her Test debut for South Africa this weekend against the Fijiana XV in Lautoka.

This Saturday the 30-year-old will become the 195th player to run out for the Springbok Women. Tshiremba has scored 64 tries in 20 tournament appearances.

Boks assistant coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt has also named a new centre partnership of Zintle Mpupha and Maceala Samboya for the fixture, while Alichie Arries joins Tshiremba on the wing too.

The Springboks aim to wrap up a series whitewash after their 55-12 win against the Fijiana last weekend.

After a starting debut last week in Suva, Shiniqwa Lamprecht is named on the bench, as the team look to expand their depth.

“We can’t wait to see her go, with her great speed and how we hope to execute on the weekend, Maria will have an important role to play,” Johannes-Haupt said.

“Shiniqwa gives us that option of going with a split of six forwards and two backs on the bench, but obviously she can also play in the centres, where she did very well last weekend on debut. We will see how the match develops and what we need to do, if anything, when we activate our bench.”

There is also a return to the starting side for team captain Babalwa Latsha. Rested a week ago, Latsha moves straight into the starting tighthead role ahead of Nombuyekezo Mdliki. Elsewhere in the back Catha Jacobs is installed at flanker and replaces the injured Lerato Makua.

“We saw what worked for us last weekend, but we also want to try new things, and Babalwa’s experience and calmness will make that possible,” Johannes-Haupt said.

“It is great to have her back, while we must also acknowledge the leadership group and how they back the coaches and their plans.”

Springbok Women squad v Fijiana XV

15 Byrhandré Dolf (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
14 Alichia Arries (DHL Western Province)
13 Maceala Samboya (Sanlam Boland Dames)
12 Zintle Mpupha (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
11 Maria Tshiremba (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – uncapped
10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
9 Anacadia Minnaar (EP Queens)
1 Xoliswa Khuzwayo (Golden Lions Women)
2 Lindelwa Gwala (Sharks Women)
3 Babalwa Latsha (captain, DHL Western Province)
4 Vainah Ubisi (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
5 Nomsa Mokwai (DHL Western Province)
6 Sizophila Solontsi (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
7 Catha Jacobs (Golden Lions Women)
8 Aseza Hele (Sanlam Boland Dames)

Replacements
16 Anushka Groenewald (DHL Western Province)
17 Yonela Ngxingolo (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies)
19 Sinelitha Noxeke (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
20 Nobuhle Mjwara (Sharks Women)
21 Shiniqwa Lamprecht (Sanlam Boland Dames)
22 Felicia Jacobs (Sanlam Boland Dames)
23 Patience Mokone (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)