Like seasoned warriors lacing up for one final skirmish before the long campaign across enemy waters, the Springbok Women are bringing back heavy artillery for their last test against the Black Ferns XV in Cape Town.
Coach Swys de Bruin has shuffled the deck for one final time before boarding the plane to England, restoring experience and punch to a side determined to stitch their patchwork plays into a seamless World Cup tapestry.
Ayanda Malinga, a winger as quick as a lightning bolt on a dry highveld night, returns to the left flank after shaking off a shoulder strain. Malinga, who dotted down against Canada in Gqeberha three weeks ago, will once again hug the touchline like a predator stalking space.
In the engine room, Danelle Lochner, newly healed from a facial fracture, resumes her role as one of the lineout’s architects, while the heartbeat of the Bok scrum, Lindelwa Gwala—35 Tests to her name—returns to throw, bind, and bash in the No 2 jersey after missing both clashes against Canada.
Also back in the mix is fullback Byrhandré Dolf, whose sharp feet and eye for the gap will add electricity to the Bok backfield after she sat out the first duel with New Zealand due to a minor injury. And in the ever-crucial playmaking spine, Nadine Roos resumes duties at scrumhalf, linking up with vice-captain and flyhalf Libbie Janse van Rensburg. Together, they will aim to light the fuse on a more fluid, fearless attacking game.
This is the final opportunity to get it right before the trip to England. These are the last tweaks—some were forced by niggles… The other switches are to make sure we have a squad full of players with enough game time.
Aphiwe Ngwevu and Zintle Mpupha will combine in midfield for the first time this year, a fresh pairing that may just be the spark needed to unlock stubborn defensive gates. Meanwhile, blindside flanker Sinazo Mcatshulwa returns to her preferred post after a stint off the pine, and Yonela Ngxingolo earns a rare start at loosehead after years as a utility bomb squad front-rower. Her scrum versatility has long been a trump card, but this time she’s leading the hit from the first whistle.
Off the bench, only Unam Tose and Xoliswa Khuzwayo didn’t feature last week. Tose was blooded against Canada, while Khuzwayo earned her stripes in Madagascar during the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup.
Captain Babalwa Latsha, that immovable pillar at tighthead, again carries the mantle of leadership in the absence of Nolusindiso Booi. With Janse van Rensburg as her second-in-command, the Boks have a leadership core forged in fire and familiarity.
We were boosted by the second half performance last weekend, but that is in the past. I would like to see the team play with more freedom on attack… We are so close to combining all the good things we do.
But De Bruin’s clearest demand rang loudest:
We must finish all the good things we start—that is non-negotiable.
In rugby, as in war, momentum is a fragile thing. With England looming like a final exam, Saturday’s clash is less about scoreboard and more about sharpening blades. The Bok Women have loaded their arsenal. Now, it’s time to strike true.
