Du Plessis back to face SA women in quarterfinal
TEAM ANNOUNCEMENT: The Black Ferns coaches selected their match-day 23 to play South Africa in the women’s World Cup quarterfinal at Sandy Park in Exeter on Saturday.
The Black Ferns match-day 23 welcomes back loose forward Kaipo Olsen-Baker starting in the No.8 jersey and centre Amy du Plessis off the bench as they return from injuries sustained in round one of pool play.
Stacey Waaka has also been named to start in her 30th Test milestone.
In the starting XV, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu has been named at tighthead prop alongside loosehead prop Chryss Viliko and hooker Georgia Ponsonby.
Maiakawanakaulani Roos and Alana Bremner retain their spots in starting locks, while the loose forward trio comprises of Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Jorja Miller and Olsen-Baker.
In the backline, scrumhalf Maia Joseph will join co-captain and flyhalf Ruahei Demant in the halfback positions, while the veteran duo of Theresa Setefano and Waaka cover the midfield.
Portia Woodman-Wickliffe has been named on the wing alongside Braxton Sorensen-McGee, who scored back-to-back hat-tricks against Ireland and Japan.
She’s currently the tournament’s top point scorer on 38 points.
Following her standout performance against Ireland, Renee Holmes rounds out the starting XV at fullback.
Atlanta Lolohea, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Kate Henwood, Laura Bayfield, co-captain Kennedy Tukuafu, Iritana Hohaia, Du Plessis and Ayesha Leti-I’iga have been named as replacements.
Black Ferns Director of Performance Allan Bunting said the team have taken away key learnings from the Ireland Test and look to continue building.
“This match against South Africa means a lot to us,” Bunting said, adding: “It’s a play-off match.
“We are also aware of what this game means to South Africa.
“We have selected our strongest available 23,” Bunting added.
New Zealand: 15 Renee Holmes, 14 Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 13 Stacey Waaka, 12 Theresa Setefano, 11 Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, 10 Ruahei Demant (co-captain), 9 Maia Joseph, 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 7 Jorja Miller, 6 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 5 Alana Bremner, 4 Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 3 Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, 2 Georgia Ponsonby, 1 Chryss Viliko.
Replacements: 16 Atlanta Lolohea, 17 Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, 18 Kate Henwood, 19 Laura Bayfield, 20 Kennedy Tukuafu (co-captain), 21 Iritana Hohaia, 22 Amy du Plessis, 23 Ayesha Leti-I’iga.
Date: Saturday, September 13
Venue: Sandy Park, Exeter
Kick-off: 13.00 (12.00 GMT; 14.00 SAST; 00.00 NZST Sunday, September 14)
Referee: Sara Cox (England)
Assistant referees: Ella Goldsmith (Australia) & Kat Roche (USA)
TMO: Rachel Horton (Australia)
