Springbok Women v USA Women – Teams and Prediction

PREVIEW: The Springbok Women will be aiming to wrap up their first-ever Test series win over the USA when the sides clash at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.

South Africa head into the second Test brimming with confidence after a commanding 34-21 victory at Ellis Park last weekend.

The Bok Women laid the perfect platform, surging to a 29-0 half-time lead before the Eagles mounted a late fightback.

No.8 Logan Welman enjoyed a breakout performance, scoring two tries to underline her growing reputation on the international stage.

While there was plenty to admire, the final quarter remains an area for improvement. South Africa leaked three late tries and will be determined to produce a more complete 80-minute performance.

“The bench was good,” Springbok Women head coach Swys de Bruin said.

“When the impact players came on, they were good.

“However, we had one or two communication problems that we sorted out during the week.

“For me, the biggest thing is consistency throughout the game. The challenge this week is that when the super subs, or Bomb Squad, come on, we can’t dip.

“They’ve got to lift us to another level. We rotated them a lot at training this week to make sure there isn’t a drop-off when they come on.”

De Bruin has largely stuck with the side that claimed victory in Johannesburg, making just one change to his starting XV.

Eloise Webb starts at fullback in place of Byrhandré Dolf, who is unavailable due to player welfare rest protocols.

Maceala Samboya comes onto the bench in Webb’s place, with both players having featured at the 2025 Rugby World Cup.

There are five changes among the replacements. Lerato Makua returns to the match-day 23 for the first time in 2026, while Anacadia Minnaar replaces Felicia Jacobs as scrumhalf cover. Makua comes in for Faith Tshauke, Nomsa Mokwai takes over from Anathi Qolo as lock cover, and Nombuyekezo Mdliki replaces Thandile Mazwi at prop.

Despite last week’s convincing win, De Bruin expects a fired-up response from the visitors.

“They didn’t come here for us to put 50 points past them,” he said.

“Rest assured, they’ll take confidence from that second half and build on it.

“We know they’re going to throw everything at us.”

#TeamAnnouncement: Swys de Bruin makes fullback call for South Africa’s rematch with USA 👇#SouthAfrica #SpringbokWomen #USA https://t.co/LjI7DLWOsR

— Rugby365 (@rugby365com) July 9, 2026

USA Women’s Eagles head coach Jack Hanratty has responded with several changes to his side.

Elizabeth Cook earns a start at tighthead prop after an impressive try-scoring display off the bench. Emerson Allen joins Hallie Taufoou in the second row, while Hann Humphreys comes into the loose trio alongside Freda Tafuna and captain Georgie Perris-Redding.

The Eagles also have a new halfback pairing, with Olivia Ortiz starting at scrumhalf and Kristin Bitter at flyhalf. Bella Vogel shifts to inside centre, Tessa Hann wears the No. 13 jersey, Telesi Uhatafe moves to the wing, Ashley Cowdrey starts at fullback, and Bulou Mataitoga fills the opposite wing.

Chloe Hill-Huse, who currently plays for Sunnybank Rugby Club, is set to make her USA debut after being named among the replacements.

Hanratty believes his side learned valuable lessons from Ellis Park.

“Ellis Park delivered the challenge we expected from South Africa. They opened with ferocity and intent, and we didn’t match it. We had some good impact from some of our less experienced players, but ultimately it was moments, not momentum.

“Looking ahead to Pretoria, our focus all week has been on executing with excellence and delivering for the full 80 minutes. We’re excited to see this group chase the result we know we are capable of.

“This group is brilliant at learning from moments, and we learned a lot on Saturday. The challenge now is to show how much we’ve learned this week.”

Players to watch:

For South Africa: It will be another big test for Swys de Bruin’s side, and several players will be key to the Springbok Women’s hopes of sealing the series. Eloise Webb’s selection at fullback is a significant one. Although she is more accustomed to playing in the midfield, her exceptional kicking game adds another dimension to South Africa’s attack. Lock Vainah Ubisi will be eager to build on an impressive performance in the first Test, while last weekend’s Player of the Match, Catha Jacobs, will once again be crucial in the loose trio. Jacobs was outstanding at Ellis Park, making dominant tackles, disrupting the breakdown and providing a relentless work rate throughout the contest.

For USA: The Eagles have a new-look halfback pairing, with Olivia Ortiz starting at scrumhalf alongside Kristin Bitter at flyhalf. Ortiz brings valuable experience with 31 Test caps and will be expected to control the tempo, while Bitter will need to dictate play and steer the USA into the right areas of the field. After scoring off the bench in Johannesburg, Elizabeth Cook has been rewarded with her first start at tighthead prop. She made a significant impact in the opening Test and will be looking to carry that momentum into Saturday’s clash.

Prediction: 

Rugby365: Springbok Women by 12 points

Teams: 

South Africa Women: 15 Eloise Webb, 14 Jakkie Cilliers, 13 Ayanda Malinga, 12 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 11 Alichia Arries, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Unam Tose, 8 Logan Welman, 7 Catha Jacobs, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Danelle Lochner, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Babalwa Latsha (captain), 2 Micke Gunter, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie.
Replacements: 16 Anushka Groenewald, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Lerato Makua, 21 Sinelitha Noxeke, 22 Anacadia Minnaar, 23 Maceala Samboya.

USA: 15 Ashley Cowdrey, 14 Bulou Mataitoga, 13 Tessa Hann, 12 Bella Vogel, 11 Telesi Uhatafe, 10 Kristin Bitter, 9 Olivia Ortiz, 8 Freda Tafuna, 7 Georgie Perris-Redding (Captain), 6 Hann Humpreys, 5 Hallie Taufoou, 4 Emerson Allen, 3 Elizabeth Cook, 2 Kathryn Treder, 1 Hope Rogers.
Replacements: 16 Chloe Hill-Huse, 17 Alivia Leatherman, 18 Reece Woods, 19 Rachel Ehrecke, 20 Kapoina Bailey, 21 Taina Tukuafu, 22 Katana Howard, 23 Alex Kelter.

Date: Saturday, July 11
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: 13.30 (07.30 EDT; 11.30 GMT)
Referee: Zoe Naude
Assistant referees: Giana Viljoen & Angie Bezuidenhout
TMO: Quinton Immelman