South Africa Women v Barbarians Women - teams and prediction

PREVIEW: There is a sense of optimism in South Africa with the Springbok Women starting a new chapter under the guidance of new head coach Swys de Bruin.

De Bruin’s first challenge comes in the form of the Barbarians Women.

The two teams will meet on Saturday at the Cape Town Stadium ahead of the Rugby Championship match between the Springboks and All Blacks.

The fixture will be the third meeting between the teams.

The first meeting between the South Africa Women’s XV and the Barbarian Women – in front of a then-record crowd of 29,581 at Twickenham Stadium in November 2021 – resulted in a 60-5 domination by the famous Black and White.

However, two years later (2023) the Springbok Women battled valiantly to the very end in a riveting display of determination and resilience, with the Barbarian Women prevailing 38-26 in Cape Town.

It will very difficult task for the Springbok Women against a very experienced Barbarians team, laden with battle-hardened senior players from all around the world.

For Byrhandré Dolf, who will be the youngest player on the field at Cape Town Stadium, where she will start at fullback for South Africa, the occasion will be massive, but so will the opportunities that matches like this one provide.

She played against the Baabaas in last year’s fixture at Athlone Stadium and as Dolf points out, learned a lot on that occasion.

VIDEO: Support us as well asks legend of Bok Women’s teamhttps://t.co/s5n83Lkpd0

— rugby365.com (@rugby365com) September 2, 2024

“I was only five test caps into my career when I faced them and maybe did not really understand enough of who the Baabaas were, and the World Cup was far away at that time,” said Dolf.

“What I remember from that day was how tough it was to try and anticipate what they were going to do and that made me realise how important playmakers and decisionmakers on the field are.”

This time around, Dolf has 14 caps and has grown into a playmaking role, and Saturday’s Cape Town Stadium crowd can expect to see good decision-making from the fullback.

“We certainly have a more creative mindset and the addition of some of the sevens players added to that,” said Dolf, one of the players who were at the Olympic Games in Paris recently.

“The ball will reach the wings and they will be dangerous when in possession.”

Aside from the World Cup and the more pressing matter of preparing for WXV 2, which starts on 27 September, Dolf said this time around she will appreciate the opportunity to play the Baabaas much more.

“I now understand the hype a litter better and also what massive legacy some of their players have left in the game,” she said.

“This actually motivates me to become like them and as a Springbok Women player to elevate us to that level.

“Just image the next 21-year-old somewhere in the world playing against a Baabaas team that have a significant number of Springbok Women amongst them. If that happens, these small steps we are taking now will in fact have been big strides.”

Springbok captain Siya Kolisi spent most of Thursday with the team and Dolf said that was inspiring: “It was awesome to have him around and it meant a lot to the team.

“I really hope we get the same support from the Cape Town Stadium crowd, who will hopefully, like Siya, invest in some time to spend with us.”

We’re ready 💪

⚫️⚪️⚫️#Baabaas pic.twitter.com/7OTpNzue6o

— Barbarian FC (@Barbarian_FC) September 5, 2024

Players to watch:

For South Africa: Nolusindiso Booi, South Africa’s most capped women’s player, will lead the side. Booi will be flanked by vice-captains Tayla Kinsey and Lindelwa Gwala, the most experienced scrumhalf and hooker respectively, with welcome returns for Ayanda Malinga, Nadine Roos, Eloise Webb and Felicia Jacobs, all recent members of the women’s Sevens squad. The livewire Roos has been selected as the playmaker in her debut at flyhalf. Webb will start at outside centre and Malinga on the wing. Jakkie Cilliers is another game-changer, she was the top pointer scored during the Premier Division, leading Bulls Daisies to their second consecutive title. On the bench, there are some big names in the form of Libbie Janse van Rensburg and Zintle Mpupha.

For Barbarians: It will be a huge occasion as seven stars are set to make their final international appearance. England centre Rachael Burford bid farewell to her glittering career, which includes multiple Six Nations titles. The most capped Black Fern of all time Cocksedge is another player that will hang up her international boots. The No.9 will want to put in another momentous day as she seeks to dictate much of the play alongside halfback partner Amber Reed.

Prediction:

@rugby365com: Barbarians by five points

Teams: 

South Africa: 15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Jakkie Cilliers, 13 Eloise Webb, 12 Chumisa Qawe, 11 Ayanda Malinga, 10 Nadine Roos, 9 Tayla Kinsey, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Vainah Ubisi, 4 Nolusindiso Booi (captain), 3 Babalwa Latsha, 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie.
Replacements: 16 Micke Gunter, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Azisa Mkiva, 19 Danelle Lochner, 20 Sinelitha Noxeke, 21 Felicia Jacobs, 22 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 23 Zintle Mpupha.

Barbarians Women: 15 Emily Scott, 14 Cheta Emba, 13 Carla Hohepa, 12 Rachael Burford, 11 Lydia Thompson, 10 Amber Reed, 9 Kendra Cocksedge, 8 Rownita Marston-Mulheam, 7 Claire Molloy, 6 Charmaine McMenamim (captain), 5 Ciara Cooney, 4 Alycia Washington, 3 Cerys Hale, 2 Joanna Kitlinksi, 1 Rochelle Clark
Replacements: 16 Abi Meyrick, 17 Kathryn Buggy, 18 Laura Keates, 19 Sera Naiqama, 20 Kathryn Dane, 21 Sarah Law, 22 Rachel Lund, 23 Celia Quansah

Date: Saturday, September 7
Venue: Cape Town Stadium
Kick-off: 13.30 (11.30 GMT)
Referee: Zoe Naudé
Assistant referees: Bulela Qwane, Martie Mostert
TMO: Aimee Barrett-Theron

*Additional sources: SA Rugby & Barbarians FC