Springbok Women opt for continuity in squad for two-Test Ireland series

Anacadia Minnaar has returned to the Springbok Women squad for October following her late withdrawal from the European tour in September.

The scrum-half comes into the squad for Felicia Jacobs, who replaced her in the South Africa squad for WXV Global Series a month ago. In Europe the Springbok Women lost to Wales 50-19, beat Italy 41-29 and picked up a 20-nil victory against Spain in Seville.

Injury to Ayanda Malinga sees Insaaf Levy included in the squad that will gather in Stellenbosch this week ahead of a two-Test series with Ireland at Cape Town’s Athlone Stadium.

The squad selected by co-coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September is largely settled, albeit without the injured Libbie Janse van Rensburg.

Babalwa Latsha, the team’s captain, is named in the squad despite having left her team’s win against Spain with injury.

Johannes-Haupt said: “We opted for continuity as we have good momentum from the last couple of matches on tour, hence the call to stay with the same group of players.

“Anacadia could unfortunately not travel to Europe, but we are happy to have her back, while we also want to bring Insaaf closer to the action and tap into her skill set. Ireland are not the fifth-ranked team in the world for nothing – they will really test us.

“We are pleased on how the season progressed and want to finish it strong at home. Athlone Stadium has been a happy hunting ground for us in recent years and it is a perfect setting for us to close out the season.”

Free State Women centre Aisha Camara and DHL Western Province prop Anothando Katshwa, have been invited to train with the squad for the remainder of WXV Global Series 2026.

South Africa squad home Tests | WXV Global Series 2026

Forwards
Aseza Hele (Sanlam Boland Dames, 38 caps)
Logan Welman (DHL Western Province, 9 caps)
Lerato Makua (SA Rugby contracted, 22 caps)
Sizophila Solontsi (SA Rugby contracted, 39 caps)
Catha Jacobs (Golden Lions Women, 34 caps)
Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies, 39 caps)
Sinelitha Noxeke (Isuzu Bulls Daisies, 10 caps)
Nomsa Mokwai (DHL Western Province, 22 caps)
Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women, 27 caps)
Vainah Ubisi (Isuzu Bulls Daisies, 30 caps)
Babalwa Latsha (captain; DHL Western Province, 47 caps)
Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies, 19 caps)
Xoliswa Khuzwayo (Golden Lions Women, 16 caps)
Yonela Ngxingolo (Isuzu Bulls Daisies, 49 caps)
Sanelisiwe Charlie (Isuzu Bulls Daisies, 35 caps)
Anushka Groenewald (DHL Western Province, 13 caps)
Lindelwa Gwala (Sharks Women, 43 caps)
Micke Gunter (Leicester Tigers, 20 caps)

Backs
Jakkie Cilliers (RC Toulon Provence Méditerranée, 29 caps)
Alichia Arries (DHL Western Province, 12 caps)
Patience Mokone (SA Rugby contracted, 7 caps)
Maria Tshiremba (SA Rugby contracted, 3 caps)
Maceala Samboya (Sanlam Boland Dames, 14 caps)
Naima Hlatshwayo (Isuzu Bulls Daisies, 3 caps)
Shiniqwa Lamprecht (Sanlam Boland Dames, 5 caps)
Byrhandré Dolf (SA Rugby contracted, 33 caps)
Mary Zulu (Sharks Women, 19 caps)
Unam Tose (Isuzu Bulls Daisies, 34 caps)
Anacadia Minnaar (EP Queens, 9 caps)
Insaaf Levy (DHL Western Province, 2 caps)