South Africa v Ireland – Teams and Prediction

PREVIEW: The Springbok Women will be out to end their season on a high when they host Ireland in the second Test of the WXV Global Series at Athlone Stadium on Saturday.

South Africa suffered a 27-40 defeat to Ireland in the first Test last weekend and will be determined to bounce back in front of their home crowd.

It was the first time the two teams had faced each other on South African soil and only the second meeting between the sides. Their previous encounter came at the 2006 World Cup, where Ireland recorded a convincing 37-0 victory.

Springbok hooker Lindelwa Gwala insists the team remains focused on securing a win, with last weekend’s disappointment serving as motivation heading into the rematch.

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“We took the L last week and we have come back, we’ve worked on the things that we need to work on with the aim of actually winning the game, which was the same thing last week,” Springbok hooker Lindelwa Gwala told reporters.

“We went in with the aim to win. The results were not in our favour, but we’ve come back this week, worked on the things that we need to work on, and we’re going into the game wanting to win.

“That’s been the mentality throughout this week. We are going to win this weekend.”

Despite the defeat, the Springbok Women climbed to ninth in the World Rugby Rankings, their highest-ever position.

However, Gwala says the rankings and the underdog tag will have no bearing on Saturday’s encounter.

“Nothing about underdogs, nothing about rankings. We’re not looking at any of that.

“We’re just doing what we need to do to obtain the win.”

Springbok Women co-head coach Franzel September echoed Gwala’s sentiments, emphasising that the team had taken responsibility for its shortcomings in the first Test.

“Things didn’t go our way at certain times during the match, especially after half-time.

“We just need to fix it, and we’ve worked on it. We’re keen to prove it.

“When we started reviewing the match on Sunday afternoon, we took ownership and said to ourselves, ‘This is not us.’

“If you look at off the ball, how good Ireland was, I think they won the street fight.

“Street-wise, they were up there. Let’s give it to them.

“However, this time around, we’re well aware of what they can bring. We need to know that they will come up with one or two tactics as well.

“So, they caught us off guard at times.

“However, we take ownership of that. We need to work on it.

“We also addressed the issue that we can’t just go through this and get beaten in those small moments.

“So, we’re up for a challenge. Can’t wait for Saturday.”

September and fellow co-head coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt have made a number of changes to the starting team to face Ireland.

Sanelisiwe Charlie sustained a serious knee injury during training this week, ruling the experienced prop out of the match.

Yonela Ngxingolo, who came off the bench last week to earn her 50th cap, will replace Charlie in the starting line-up.

There is also a change at hooker, with Lindelwa Gwala starting and Anushka Groenewald moving to the bench. Danelle Lochner will start at lock alongside Vainah Ubisi.

Catha Jacobs moves from lock to flank, with Lerato Makua dropping to the bench this week.

Among the backs, Byrhandré Dolf moves from flyhalf to fullback, with Mary Zulu promoted from the bench to start in the No 10 jersey.

Jakkie Cilliers switches from fullback to right wing, allowing Alichia Arries to move to the left wing. Maria Tshiremba will provide pace and impact off the bench this time around.

For Ireland, fullback Niamh Gallagher and scrumhalf Aoibheann Reilly come into the backline in the only changes to the starting line-up that won the first test between the two sides on South African soil last weekend, while Sophie Barrett is in line for her second Test cap off the bench.

Linda Djougang, Neve Jones and Eilís Cahill start in the front row, with Jane Clohessy and Dorothy Wall in the engine room of an unchanged pack. Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan continues at blindside flanker, captain Erin King is at openside and Brittany Hogan completes the starting team at No.8.

In the other fixtures, the USA host England in the opening match of what promises to be a WXV Global Series blockbuster final weekend. That match in New Jersey will be followed by New Zealand’s bid to complete a clean sweep of four wins over France, before Japan host Wales.

Prediction: 

Rugby365: Ireland by five points

Teams:

South African Women: 15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Jakkie Cilliers, 13 Maceala Samboya, 12 Shiniqwa Lamprecht, 11 Alichia Arries, 10 Mary Zulu , 9 Unam Tose, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Catha Jacobs, 6 Sizophila Solontsi (captain), 5 Danelle Lochner, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Xoliswa Khuzwayo, 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 1 Yonela Ngxingolo
Replacements: 16 Anushka Groenewald, 17 Anuschka Ekron, 18 Thandile Mazwi, 9 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 21 Lerato Makua, 22 Insaaf Levy, 23 Maria Tshiremba

Ireland Women: 15 Niamh Gallagher, 14 Béibhinn Parsons, 13 Anna McGann, 12 Aoife Dalton, 11 Robyn O’Connor, 10 Dannah O’Brien, 9 Aoibheann Reilly, 8 Brittany Hogan, 7 rin King (captain), 6 Fiona Tuite-O’Sullivan, 5 Dorothy Wall, 4 Jane Clohessy, 3 Eilís Cahill, 2 Neve Jones, 1 Linda Djougang
Replacements: 16 Beth Buttimer, 17 Niamh O’Dowd, 18 Sophie Barrett, 19 Grace Moore, 20 Jemima Adams Verling, 21 Emily Lane, 22 Eve Higgins, 23 Stacey Flood

Date: Saturday, October 31
Venue: Athlone Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 15.00 (13.00 GMT)
Referee: Jess Ling (Australia)
Assistant Referees: Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe), Giana Viljoen (South Africa)
TMO: Matteo Liperini (France)