Springbok Women’s boss Swys de Bruin will deploy his own Bomb Squad for Saturday’s WXV 2 match against Australia at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town.
De Bruin again opted for a split of six forwards and two backs on the bench, while he also added the experienced captain Nolusindiso Booi among the replacements to make an impact in the second half.
Flank Lusanda Dumke will lead the Springbok Women in the second round of WXV 2 after they beat Japan in their first match.
Dumke, playing in her 32nd Test, will captain the team for the third time in her career, having led South Africa twice against Kenya in 2021. She takes over the role from Booi, who will be extend her national record to 48 Test caps when she comes off the bench..
Don't miss the second round of #WXV2 in Cape Town this weekend, with THREE matches taking place on Friday and Saturday, when #BokWomen play Australia - buy your tickets here: https://t.co/dbM3CCWnzH 🎟#MakeItCount #ETTIG @WXVRugby pic.twitter.com/zJ3K3puY2u
— SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) October 2, 2024
Dumke takes over from Sizophila Solontsi at flanker, while Danelle Lochner swops jerseys with Booi in the other change to the starting pack.
In the backs, Unam Tose will make a first start at scrumhalf this year, while Zintle Mpupha comes in for Eloise Webb in the midfield, where she will combine with Chumisa Qawe, the vice-captain for Saturday.
Webb moves to fullback in place of Libbie Janse van Rensburg, who picked up a leg injury in training this week and was ruled out of the match.
De Bruin reiterated the fact that the Rugby World Cup in England next year remains the main focus in evolving and selecting the squad and said this weekend’s match-23 were deemed best for the Australian challenge.
“We have 30 players in the squad and have the luxury of tweaking numbers here and there,” said De Bruin.
“Lusanda was not available for selection against Japan as she was completing her return to play protocols, but she is ready now and being the world class player she is, will be at her best come Saturday. She is the captain of the Bulls Daisies as well, so she will not have any problems in that regard. It is also part of our strategy to build depth in the leadership group.
“Injuries are also part of the game. Last week we lost Lindelwa Gwala and this time around, Libbie is not available. As is always the case with injuries, it does create opportunities for the next player.”
Springbok Women’s team to face Australia in Cape Town:
15 Eloise Webb (Border Ladies) – 12 caps, 30 points (6 tries)
14 Jakkie Cilliers (Bulls Daisies) – 15 caps, 80 points (7 tries, 18 conversions, 3 penalty goals)
13 Zintle Mpupha (Bulls Daisies) – 22 caps, 101 points (19 tries, 3 conversions)
12 Chumisa Qawe (vice-captain; Bulls Daisies) – 17 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
11 Ayanda Malinga (Bulls Daisies) – 9 caps, 55 points (10 tries)
10 Nadine Roos (unattached) – 13 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
9 Unam Tose (Bulls Daisies) – 21 Tests, 0 points
8 Aseza Hele (Boland Dames) – 23 caps, 50 points (10 tries)
7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa (Western Province) – 33 caps, 45 points (9 tries)
6 Lusanda Dumke (captain, Bulls Daisies) – 31 caps, 50 points (10 tries)
5 Vainah Ubisi (Bulls Daisies) – 16 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
4 Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women) – 14 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
3 Babalwa Latsha (Harlequins Women) – 31 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
2 Roseline Botes (Western Province) - 20 caps, 45 points (9 tries)
1 Sanelisiwe Charlie (Bulls Daisies) – 20 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Replacements:
16 Micke Gunter (Bulls Daisies) – 9 caps, 0 points)
17 Yonela Ngxingolo (Bulls Daisies) – 30 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
18 Azisa Mkiva (Western Province) – 11 caps, 0 points
19 Nolusindiso Booi (Western Province) – 47 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
20 Catha Jacobs (Leicester Tigers Women) – 17 caps, 5 points (1 try)
21 Sizophila Solontsi (Bulls Daisies) – 23 caps, 40 points (8 tries)
22 Felicia Jacobs (Boland Dames) – 6 caps, 5 points (1 try)
23 Byrhandre Dolf (Bulls Daisies) – 14 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
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