Springbok W v Black Ferns XV – Teams and Prediction
PREVIEW: The Springbok Women will wrap up their preparations for the 2025 World Cup with a second and final friendly against the Black Ferns XV this Saturday at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.
Last week, the two sides clashed in a historic encounter – the first time a New Zealand women’s team played on South African soil. The Black Ferns XV emerged 34-26 victors in front of a crowd of over 3,000, a significant milestone for the women’s game in the country.
While the attendance didn’t reach five figures, it stood out given that the match competed with a major Currie Cup clash – Western Province versus the Bulls – taking place just a few kilometres away at Cape Town Stadium. This weekend, expectations are high that the crowd will double as fans turn out to support what’s being dubbed “the people’s team.”
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For the Bok Women, this is more than just a farewell fixture – it’s their last chance to fine-tune combinations and build momentum before heading to the global showpiece.
Following three straight defeats – two to Canada and on to the Black Ferns XV – the South Africans are eager to end this stretch on a high.
The side showed grit during last weekend’s showdown. After leaking four tries in the first half, they improved significantly after the break. The forward pack took control, and key substitutions off the bench turned the momentum.
Performance coach Swys de Bruin and management have largely settled on their World Cup squad, but the emphasis now is on starting strong – a known area of concern.
“We need to start better,” Springbok Women performance coach De Bruin told reporters.
“I don’t know if it’s the relaxed atmosphere that we want to create or are used to. But maybe, like the men, we should be more focused – more silent on the bus.
“But in saying that, we’ve had wonderful games where it’s almost a party before the kick-off. So, I need to find that balance.
“I looked at the warm-up, which is good.
“Last week, we got that first scrum – they [Black Ferns XV] virtually walk over – and then I come in at halftime, I lose my cool, and suddenly they go and improve. I asked myself, ‘Where were you in the first 40?’”
He added: “I think we respect the opponents too much.
“There’s way too much respect, for starters.
“Like in boxing, as I often tell them: when the bell goes, it’s action. You can’t hide – it’s action.”
Springbok Women loosehead prop Yonela Ngxingolo, who will get a start after playing off the bench 14 times in her last 16 appearances, admitted that for the players, there might be a mental blockage preventing a strong opening.
“There’s something that we need to switch mentally.
“I think it’s just a mental thing now, more than a physical thing, because once we get the momentum, we go.
“I think it takes an individual to believe. We do have a good plan.
“We’re in a good setup now. We’re literally fit compared to the way we were before, so now it’s just for us to believe.”
There are several changes to the starting line-up. Ayanda Malinga, Danelle Lochner, and Lindelwa Gwala all return to the squad.
Nadine Roos returns to scrumhalf and forms the halfback partnership with Libbie Janse van Rensburg, who starts at flyhalf.
Strong ball-carrier Aphiwe Ngwevu – impactful off the bench last week, partners Zintle Mpupha in the midfield. Byrhandré Dolf also returns to the starting lineup after missing the first match with a minor injury.
For the Black Ferns XV, head coach Willie Walker made two changes to their starting XV.
Prop Cheyenne Tuli-Fale is promoted to the starting unit, with Maddi Robinson coming onto the bench.
Justine McGregor comes onto the right wing in place of Winnie Palamo.
Midfield dynamo Kelsey Teneti, who scored a hat-trick last weekend, will again be a key threat, this time partnering Hollyrae Mete-Renata in the centres.
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Prediction:
Rugby365: Black Ferns XV by seven points
Teams:
South Africa: 15 Byrhandre Dolf, 14 Maceala Samboya, 13 Zintle Mpupha, 12 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 11 Ayanda Malinga, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg (vice-captain), 9 Nadine Roos, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 6 Lerato Makua, 5 Danelle Lochner, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Babalwa Latsha (captain), 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 1 Yonela Ngxingolo
Replacements: 16 Luchell Hanekom, 17 Xoliswa Khuzwayo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Anathi Qolo, 20 Catha Jacobs, 21 Unam Tose, 22 Jakkie Cilliers, 23 Eloise Webb
New Zealand XV: 15 Mererangi Paul, 14 Justine McGregor, 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 Cheyenne Tuli-Fale
Replacements: 16 Grace Leaso Gago, 17 Maddi Robinson, 18 Harono Te Iringa, 19 Elinor-Plum King, 20 Fiaali’i Solomona, 21 Keira Su’a-Smith, 22 Leilani Hakiwai, 23 Kaea Nepia
Date: Saturday, August 2
Venue: Athlone Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 17:00 (15:00 GMT; 03:00 New Zealand time)
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa)
Assistant Referees: Zoe Naude (South Africa), Giana Viljoen (South Africa)
TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa)
