JOHANNESBURG – Springbok Women’s coach Stanley Raubenheimer has included six uncapped players in his squad for their Test against Spain, and young group of nine players that will form the core of the SA Invitational XV for their matches against a touring Spanish team in the next two weeks.
With a number of players returning to the Springbok Women’s Sevens programme as their preparation begins for their 2020 Olympic Qualifier in Tunisia in October, and a handful of players from the squad that earned the Springbok Women their place in the 2021 Rugby World Cup last month injured, Raubenheimer was forced to make a number of his changes to his team.
Babalwa Latsha (prop) will lead the Springbok Women once again, with Zinhle Ndawonde (centre) serving as her deputy in a team featuring newcomers Nompumelelo Mathe (utility forward), Piwokuhle Nyanda (utility back), Prelene Pegram (lock), Unam Tose (scrumhalf) and twins Chumisa Qawe (centre) and Chuma Qawe (fullback).
Three of the players in Raubenheimer’s squad, the Qawe twins and Mathe, were members of the triumphant South Africa Under-20 team that defeated Zimbabwe in Harare in June.
With only a small group of players being named in the SA Invitational group – which features three players who were in the SA Under-20 team – Raubenheimer said some of the Springbok Women’s players would double-up for both teams. The SA Invitational XV group will return to their provincial unions after their match.
The SA Invitational XV and Spain Invitational XV will kick off the action on September 14, with a local Eastern Province XV taking on the Spain Invitational XV in a mid-week game on September 17.
These matches will be followed by a Test match between the Springbok Women and Spain on September 21. All the matches will be played at the WJ de Wet Stadium in Despatch.
WomenBoks coach Stanley Raubenheimer. Photo: Springboks on Facebook
“We will be without the Springbok Women’s Sevens players and a few regular players for this Test due to injury, but this is a good opportunity to test the players coming through the ranks and to build our depth,” said Raubenheimer. “We have a good core of players that have played together since last year, which will be good for us, while they will also be able to guide the new players on the field.
“I am also excited to see what the younger players have to offer in the SA Invitational XV game as it is important for us to expand our base of players for the future.”
The 31-member squad will gather in Port Elizabeth on Sunday to begin their preparations for the two matches.
The Springbok Women will travel from Port Elizabeth to Cape Town at the conclusion of the tour where they will switch their focus to the back-to-back Tests against Scotland on Monday, 30 September and Saturday, 5 October at City Park in Athlone.
Springbok Women’s squad for Spain tour:
Celeste Adonis (lock), Kirsten Conrad (flyhalf), Karthy Dludla (lock), Annique Geswind (hooker), Lindelwa Gwala (hooker), Aseza Hele (loosefoward), Onaka Jita (prop), Tayla Kinsey (scrumhalf), Babalwa Latsha (captain, prop), Vuyolwethu Maqholo (utility back), Nompumelelo Mathe (utility forward), Nqobile Mhlangu, Nomsa Mokwai (flanker), Zinhle Ndawonde (centre), Yonela Ngxingolo (prop), Aphiwe Ngwevu (centre), Piwokuhle Nyanda (utility back), Prelene Pegram (lock), Chumisa Qawe (centre), Chuma Qawe (fullback), Sizophila Solontsi (flanker), Unam Tose (scrumhalf).
SA Invitational squad for Spain tour:
Edwaline Dickson (No 8), Noxolo Mankayi (prop), Monica Mazibukwana (hooker), Noluthando Mbambo (lock), Anacadia Minnaar (flyhalf), Phelisa Mrwebi (flanker), Sesethu Mtshazi (centre), Buhlebethu Sonamzi (flanker), Shuneez van Heerden (winger).