‘Right squad for this game’: Springbok Women bank on experience against Black Ferns

The Springbok Women have lent on experience for their Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final repeat with the Black Ferns this weekend in Soweto.

In total, 11 of the starting XV that took on the Black Ferns in their Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 meeting last year will start Saturday’s clash, which forms part of a Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry doubleheader at FNB Stadium.

It was announced at the squad announcement that South Africa head coach Swys de Bruin had left his role. As a result, assistant coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September will lead the team as co-coaches.

Six of the starting pack from the Women’s Rugby World Cup last eight encounter start again this weekend, while five of last year’s backs start again too. Babalwa Latsha captains the Springbok Women at tighthead prop.

Laurian Johannes-Haupt, Springbok Women co-coach, said: “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.

“We believe this is the right squad for this game, and we go to FNB Stadium with a very specific game plan in mind.

“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.”

Springbok Women match day squad v Black Ferns

15 Byrhandré Dolf (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
14 Alichia Arries (DHL Western Province)
13 Zintle Mpupha (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
12 Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies)
11 Ayanda Malinga (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
9 Unam Tose (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
1 Sanelisiwe Charlie (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
2 Lindelwa Gwala (Sharks Women)
3 Babalwa Latsha (captain, DHL Western Province)
4 Vainah Ubisi (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
5 Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women)
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 Nomsa Mokwai (DHL Western Province)
20 Shiniqwa Lamprecht (Sanlam Boland Dames)
21 Logan Welman (DHL Western Province)
22 Anacadia Minnaar (EP Queens)
23 Maceala Samboya (Sanlam Boland Dames)