- The Springbok Women made four changes to their starting line-up ahead of Saturday's WXV Global Series Test against Ireland at Athlone Stadium
- Regular captain Babalwa Latsha was ruled out injured, prompting a reshuffle in the front row and a new captain for the Cape Town clash
- Yonela Ngxingolo is on the bench and could become only the second South African woman to reach 50 Test caps
Source: UGC
CAPE TOWN — The Springbok Women have named a reshuffled side to face Ireland in the first of two WXV Global Series Tests at Athlone Stadium on Saturday, 25 October, with kick-off set for 15h00.
Four changes have been made to the starting XV that defeated Spain earlier this month in Seville. The biggest change is in the front row, where regular captain and tighthead prop Babalwa Latsha has been ruled out with injury.
Sizophila Solontsi, with 39 caps to her name, takes over as captain, while Xoliswa Khuzwayo moves from loosehead to tighthead to fill Latsha's No 3 spot. Sanelisiwe Charlie, who was rested for the Spain fixture, returns to the No 1 jersey at loosehead.
The only backline change sees Maria Tshiremba come in at left wing for Patience Mokone.
Ngxingolo Chases History on the Bench
Among the replacements, Yonela Ngxingolo stands on the verge of a milestone only one South African woman has reached before her. The Isuzu Bulls Daisies prop, who has been part of the Springbok Women setup since 2018, carries 49 caps into Saturday's match and needs just one appearance to join Nolusindiso Booi as the only players to reach 50 Test caps for the team.
Co-head coach Franzel September said the occasion carries significance beyond the scoreline.
"As a squad we are extremely pleased for Yonela and her family and happy that she could share this milestone in front of what we hope to be a good crowd at Athlone Stadium," September said, according to SA Rugby.
"She has been around since 2018 and in recent seasons, she became a very strong bench player for us, something she will do again this weekend."
Fellow prop Thandile Mazwi also joins the replacements following the injury to Nombuyekezo Mdliki, with Anacadia Minnaar returning to the squad after not travelling to Europe for the earlier fixtures.
Source: Twitter
September Backs Depth to Carry the Squad
September said the squad's season-long drive to build depth ahead of the 2029 Women's Rugby World Cup has paid off, given the injuries to both first-choice tighthead props.
"Tighthead is an important position in any team, even more so in our squad where we rate our scrums as a factor in any match, so having depth there worked out nicely for us," he said.
Saturday's opponents, Ireland, have not faced South Africa since 2006. September described them as well-coached and well-drilled, adding that game management in the softer moments would likely prove decisive.
Tickets for the match are available via Ticketmaster.
Springbok Women’s Spain victory sets up Ireland challenge
Briefly News previously reported that the Springbok Women finished their European WXV Global Series tour with a commanding 20-0 victory over Spain in Seville on 4 October 2026.
Co-head coach Franzel September praised the team’s discipline and resilience in difficult conditions, although injuries to front-row players Babalwa Latsha and Nombuyekezo Mdliki created concerns ahead of the home series against Ireland.
Source: Briefly News
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