Springbok W v Black Ferns XV - teams and prediction
PREVIEW: This weekend, one of rugby’s ultimate rivalries takes a new step as South Africa and New Zealand XV women’s teams do battle at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.
Although a friendly, it is a very historic fixture as the Black Ferns XV will be the first-ever New Zealand women’s team to play on South African soil.
The two teams head into the encounter with very different objectives.
Given that the Black Ferns World Cup squad has already been announced, the development players will be out to prove they have what it takes to step up should any injury setbacks occur.
For South Africa, this is a penultimate chance to measure themselves against the best and test some combinations.
Fresh from back-to-back defeats to Canada, the Springbok Women are eager to put in a strong performance.
The Bok Women have made several changes to their starting XV, which prop Babalwa Latsha will captain.
The former Harlequins forward Latsha will pack down with Sanelisiwe Charlie and Micke Gunter in the front row again, but a new lock pairing will run out at Athlone Stadium.
Vainah Ubisi makes a welcome return from injury to the green and gold, having last played for the Springbok Women in last year’s WXV 2 at the same venue, while Anathi Qolo returns to the team she captained at the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Madagascar last month.
Springbok Women Performance Coach Swys de Bruin also switched up his backline, with Nadine Roos reverting back to fullback and Eloise Webb, who started at flyhalf for the first time against Canada, back at outside centre.
Tayla Kinsey and Libbie Janse van Rensburg will combine as the halfback pairing.
#SPOTLIGHT: ‘It was tough’: No setback, just lessons for Bok Women star 👇#SouthAfrica #SpringbokWomen #BlackFernsXV https://t.co/hGTZlevbvq
— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) July 24, 2025
Assistant coach Franzel September hopes the new combinations will be accompanied by some positive momentum ahead of the World Cup.
“We’re excited to see what the different combinations can bring us,” September said, adding: “I hope it’s going to bring some good headaches.”
“We had a good week of prep and it’s all been part of World Cup preparations.”
He added: “This week it’s Tayla and Libbie at halfback. They’ve been playing together for quite some time as well, so we’re excited for that.”
September said there has been a big focus on their maul defence and converting their try-scoring opportunities.
“Our attacking line-out was over 90 percent against Canada. However, we conceded a maul try, which is something we need to rectify this week.
“We also need to learn how to finish the opportunities we create for ourselves.
“We want to play an exciting brand of rugby, but we pride ourselves on our defence. So we don’t want to concede as many tries as we did against Canada.”
There’s some star power in the Black Ferns XV matchday 23 that will take on South Africa in Cape Town this weekend, with coach Willie Walker calling on eight capped internationals for the first of the historic two-game series.
It will be a physical battle, as a number of rising Kiwi stars will want to show their prowess.
The Black Ferns XV have opted for a very experienced pack, knowing the South Africans’ tendency to play a very forward-dominant game.
Young gun Taufa Bason is among a more experienced forward pack, while the backline has an average age of just 22.
Prediction:
Rugby365: Springbok Women by 5 points
Teams:
South Africa: 15 Nadine Roos, 14 Jakkie Cilliers, 13 Eloise Webb, 12 Chumisa Qawe, 11 Maceala Samboya, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Tayla Kinsey, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Lerato Makua, 6 Faith Tshauke, 5 Anathi Qolo, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Babalwa Latsha (captain), 2 Micke Gunter, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie
Replacements: 16 Roseline Botes, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 20 Catha Jacobs, 21 Mary Zulu, 22 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 23 Zintle Mpupha
New Zealand XV: 15 Mererangi Paul, 14 Winnie Palamo, 13 Kelsey Teneti, 12 Hollyrae Mete-Renata, 11 Jaymie Kolose, 10 Hannah King, 9 Tara Turner, 8 Mia Anderson, 7 Taufa Bason, 6 Holly Greenway (captain), 5 Maama Vaipulu, 4 Sam Taylor, 3 Ashley Palu, 2 Luka Connor, 1 Marcelle Parkes
Replacements: 16 Grace Leaso Gago, 17 Cheyenne Tuli-Fale, 18 Harono Te Iringa, 19 Elinor-Plum King, 20 Lucy Jenkins, 21 Reese Anderson, 22 Justine McGregor, 23 Kaea Nepia
Date: Saturday, July 26
Venue: Athlone Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 17:00 (15:00 GMT; 03:00 New Zealand time)
Referee: Zoe Naude (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Giana Viljoen (South Africa), Angie Bezuidenhout (South Africa)
TMO: Christie du Preez (South Africa)
