Bok Women switch up backline for Canada
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Springbok Women’s side to play Canada in Gqeberha on Saturday will have a distinct Eastern Cape flavour after performance coach Swys de Bruin made several changes to his match-23 for the second Test against the North American side.
De Bruin opted to move both Byrhandrѐ Dolf and Eloise Webb from the bench into the starting team, with Dolf, who hails from Uitenhage, starting at fullback and Webb, a Nelson Mandela University alumnus from East London, running out at flyhalf for the clash.
Two more players familiar with the roads around Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium – Aseza Hele, from Kwadwesi Extension, and Sanelisiwe Charlie, who was schooled at Ndzondelelo High School in Zwide – were retained in the starting team that lost 50-20 in Pretoria last Saturday.
Meanwhile, Nadine Roos has been moved from fullback to scrumhalf in a move that will see her much closer to the action.
Libbie Janse van Rensburg, who started at flyhalf in Pretoria, will slot in at inside centre, with Chumisa Qawe dropping to the bench.
De Bruin and his coaching staff also swapped Catha Jacobs and Sinazo Mcatshulwa, with Jacobs starting at flanker and Mcatshulwa finishing this time around.
The tight five remains the same, but on the bench, Azisa Mkiva will get some game time ahead of Nombuyekezo Mdliki, and scrumhalf Unam Tose will get an opportunity off the bench, with Tayla Kinsey missing out.
“We are still looking at combinations, managing game time and keeping the players honest with these changes,” De Bruin explained.
“These two Test matches against Canada and the two encounters against the Black Ferns XV at the end of the month were requested to provide high-calibre opposition and for our squad to experience the pressures of playing the top players in the world.
“We got good pictures out of the first Test, and this weekend here in Gqeberha, we know we will learn more. The focus is solely on u,s and trying out new combinations this weekend is all part of the broader picture.
“Ten of our players have Eastern Cape roots, which also tells you about the love for women’s rugby in this region and we hope that our performances on Saturday will give the local support something to cheer about. We had a good week and are looking forward to this second match against Canada, who will even be better than last weekend.”
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Webb and Roos will run out for their first Test appearances in their respective positions, but De Bruin said there is no risk in starting with a new halfback combination.
“They are both excellent players and I am expecting that axis to work well for us,” he said.
“We have this opportunity now to try new things, so want to use those before the World Cup starts. We have also tweaked some tactical plays, and I can honestly say that I am very, very excited about the weekend.”
South Africa Women: 15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Jakkie Cilliers, 13 Zintle Mpupha, 12 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 11 Ayanda Malinga, 10 Eloise Webb, 9 Nadine Roos, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Catha Jacobs, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Danelle Lochner,
4 Nolusindiso Booi (captain), 3 Babalwa Latsha, 2 Micke Gunter, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie.
Replacements: 16 Luchell Hanekom, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Azisa Mkiva, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 21 Lerato Makua, 22 Unam Tose, 23 Chumisa Qawe.
Date: Saturday, July 12
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha
Kick-off: 13.30 (11.30 GMT; 07.30 Canada time)
Referee: Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe)
Assistant Referees: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa), Zoe Naude (South Africa)
TMO: Christie du Preez (South Africa)
