WXV PREVIEW: Wales v South Africa
IN THE SPOTLIGHT: South Africa kick off their WXV campaign with a challenging outing against Wales on Friday in Cardiff.
Italy and Japan start their challenges in Pordenone on Saturday afternoon.
England will then meet Canada in Exeter in a repeat of last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup 2025 final, France host Australia in Aix-en-Provence, and Scotland host New Zealand in Edinburgh. A busy weekend of women’s international rugby concludes in Dublin on Sunday, when Ireland face the USA.
This will be the ninth time South Africa and Wales will lock horns when they take to the field at Cardiff Arms Park.
The last time the two teams met, was five years ago, where Wales overcame a relentless challenge by the Springbok Women to win 29-19 at the same venue.
The home side’s head coach Sean Lynn has made several changes from Wales’ last outing, with Lisa Neumann moving to fullback in a reshuffled backline, while Alex Callender, who missed the entire Welsh 2026 Six Nations campaign, returns to the backrow, alongside Kate Williams and Bryonie King.
Seren Lockwood and Keira Beven will pair up in the halfbacks, with the latter moving out to 10, while regular flyhalf Lleucu George is among the replacements.
Winger Amy Williams will earn her first senior test cap on the wing, after scoring a brace on her representative debut in Wales’ win over the Barbarians in June. The squad includes two more possible debutants, with front-rowers Shanelle Williams and Elan Jones poised to come on after the break.
“We have selected a strong and experienced bench, knowing every player has a role to play under the Friday night lights in Cardiff,” Lynn said.
“South Africa pride themselves on their physicality and we know we have to match them in that area, and we know what to expect.
“Keira Bevan will make her first start at fly half and has trained there during pre-season and has a wealth of experience in the Test match arena.
“Amy Williams really impressed in the win over the Barbarians and has worked hard throughout pre-season and fully deserves this opportunity and her first Wales cap.”
The Springbok Women co-head coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September also made a few tactical changes to his squad after their match against the Black Ferns two weeks ago.
Slick midfield duo Aphiwe Ngwevu and Maceala Samboya will target the Welsh defensive set-up.
The big talking point is the inclusion of talented Logan Welman.
The talented Western Province loose forward will start the match at No.8, swopping places with Aseza Hele, who will play off the bench in the only change to the run-on side up front.
Felicia Jacobs, who made her debut in Cardiff five years ago, coming off the bench to play on the wing, starts at her more usual scrumhalf position, with Nadine Roos recovering from a knee injury in the final of the HSBC SVNS 2 event in São Paulo.
Prediction:
Rugby365: South Africa by 10 points
Teams:
Wales: 15 Lisa Neumann, 14 Seren Singleton, 13 Courtney Knight, 12 Freya Bell, 11 Amy Williams, 10 Keira Bevan, 9 Seren Lockwood, 8 Bryonie King, 7 Alex Callender, 6 Kate Williams, 5 Georgia Evans, 4 Branwen Metcalfe, 3 Sisilia Tuipulotu, 2 Kelsey Jones, 1 Maisie Davies
Replacements: 16 Shanelle Williams, 17 Gwenllian Pyrs, 18 Elan Jones, 19 Gwen Crabb, 20 Jorja Aiono, 21 Alisha Joyce, 22 Lleucu George, 23 Jenna de Vera.
Springbok Women: 15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Maria Tshiremba, Maceala Samboya, 12 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 11 Ayanda Malinga, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Felicia Jacobs, 8 Logan Welman, 7 Catha Jacobs, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Danelle Lochner, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Babalwa Latsha, (captain),2 Lindelwa Gwala, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie,
Replacements: 16 Micke Gunter, 17 Xoliswa Khuzwayo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Aseza Hele, 21 Sinelitha Noxeke, 22 Jakkie Cilliers, 23 Patience Mokone
Date: Friday, September 18
Venue: Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
Kick-off: 19.15 (20.15 SAST;18.15 GMT)
Referee: Ella Goldsmith (Australia)
Assistant referees: Ruairidh Campbell (Scotland), Rebecca Piddlesden (England)
TMO: Stefano Penne (Italy)
