Experienced wing out of Ireland Tests

NEWS: The Springbok Women have suffered a setback ahead of their final two Tests of the year, with experienced wing Ayanda Malinga ruled out through injury.

Insaaf Levy has been called into the squad as Malinga’s replacement, while Anacadia Minnaar will also rejoin the group when the Springbok Women assemble in Stellenbosch on Wednesday to prepare for their two-Test series against Ireland.

The matches, scheduled for 24 and 31 October at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, will bring the 2026 WXV Global Series to a close for the hosts.

Co-coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September have otherwise opted for continuity, retaining the bulk of the squad that returned from a successful European tour, where South Africa faced Wales, Italy and Spain on consecutive weekends.

The Springbok Women finished the tour strongly with victories over Italy and Spain, building momentum ahead of their home Tests against the fifth-ranked Irish.

Minnaar was a late withdrawal from the European tour and returns in place of Felicia Jacobs. She has been part of the squad throughout the year and last featured against the Black Ferns just over a month ago.

Levy, meanwhile, featured in two of South Africa’s three Rugby Africa Women’s Cup Tests in Kenya in May before touring Brazil with the SA Women A team in August.

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“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,” said Johannes-Haupt.

“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.”

The squad will begin preparations on Thursday before travelling to Cape Town on Sunday to continue their build-up to the series.

“We are pleased on how the season progressed and want to finish it strong at home,” Johannes-Haupt added.

“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.”

Both Tests will kick off at 15:00. Tickets are sold separately for each match and are available exclusively through Ticketmaster.

Free State Women centre Aisha Camara and Western Province prop Anothando Katshwa have also been invited to train with the squad during the camp.

Springbok Women squad for Ireland Tests

Forwards (18)

Aseza Hele (Boland Dames) – 38 caps, 90 points (18 tries)
Logan Welman (Western Province) – 9 caps, 30 points (6 tries)
Lerato Makua – 22 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Sizophila Solontsi – 39 caps, 50 points (10 tries)
Catha Jacobs (Golden Lions Women) – 34 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies) – 39 caps, 85 points (17 tries)
Sinelitha Noxeke (Bulls Daisies) – 10 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Nomsa Mokwai (Western Province) – 22 caps, 0 points
Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women) – 27 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Vainah Ubisi (Bulls Daisies) – 30 caps, 45 points (9 tries)
Babalwa Latsha (captain; Western Province) – 47 caps, 40 points (8 tries)
Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies) – 19 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Xoliswa Khuzwayo (Golden Lions Women) – 16 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Yonela Ngxingolo (Bulls Daisies) – 49 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Sanelisiwe Charlie (Bulls Daisies) – 35 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Anushka Groenewald (Western Province) – 13 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Lindelwa Gwala (Sharks Women) – 43 caps, 90 points (18 tries)
Micke Gunter (Leicester Tigers) – 20 caps, 15 points (3 tries)

Backs (12)

Jakkie Cilliers (RC Toulon Provence Méditerranée) – 29 caps, 168 points (12 tries, 48 conversions, 8 penalty goals)
Alichia Arries (Western Province) – 12 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Patience Mokone – 7 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Maria Tshiremba – 3 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Maceala Samboya (Boland Dames) – 14 caps, 30 points (6 tries)
Naima Hlatshwayo (Bulls Daisies) – 3 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Shiniqwa Lamprecht (Boland Dames) – 5 caps, 0 points
Byrhandré Dolf – 33 caps, 90 points (9 tries, 21 conversions, 1 penalty goal)
Mary Zulu (Sharks Women) – 19 caps, 45 points (1 try, 20 conversions)
Unam Tose (Bulls Daisies) – 34 caps, 17 points (3 tries, 1 conversion)
Anacadia Minnaar (EP Queens) – 9 caps, 3 points (1 penalty goal)
Insaaf Levy (Western Province) – 2 caps, 0 points