Springbok Women gear up for one last rodeo before World Cup

The South African

5 days ago

The Springbok Women have made several changes for their last game before the Rugby World Cup, with key players returning from injury and rotation in Saturday's clash against the Black Ferns XV in Athlone.
Experienced campaigners Ayanda Malinga, Danelle Lochner and Lindelwa Gwala will return to the Springbok Women match-23 for Saturday's second international friendly against the Black Ferns XV as Swys de Bruin again tweaked combinations for their final match before the Rugby World Cup in England next month.
Malinga, a try-scorer against Canada in Gqeberha three weeks ago, returns to the left wing after being declared fit following a shoulder strain, while Lochner, who also played in that match, recovered from a facial fracture to run out at Athlone Stadium this weekend.
Lindelwa Gwala, the Springbok Women's most experienced hooker with 35 Test caps, returns after she missed both Tests against Canada.
Byrhandré Dolf is another to return to the starting team after sitting out the first match against the New Zealand side due to a niggle, while De Bruin again opted for new combinations in several other positions.
Amongst those are Nadine Roos, who will return to scrumhalf where she will partner with flyhalf Libbie Janse van Rensburg, and in the midfield, where Aphiwe Ngwevu – who came off the bench last weekend – will combine with Zintle Mpupha for the first time this year.
Sinazo Mcatshulwa is also back at her preferred position of blindside flanker after coming off the bench last weekend, while loosehead prop Yonela Ngxingolo gets a rare start, having played off the bench 14 times in her last 16 appearances.
The 27-year-old started in 13 consecutive Tests earlier in her career, before being moved to the bench as a super sub who can pack down on both sides of the scrum.
Unam Tose and Xoliswa Khuzwayo are the only players on the bench who did not play in Athlone last weekend.
Tose did face Canada off the bench in Gqeberha, while Khuzwayo started all three matches in Madagascar during the Rugby Africa Women's Cup.
'These are the last tweaks – some were forced by niggles, as we could again not consider Nolusindiso Booi and Sizophila Solontsi, while Chumisa Qawe was also replaced due to medical advice,' said De Bruin.
'The other switches are to make sure we have a squad full of players with enough game time before we leave for England.'
With Booi on the sidelines, Babalwa Latsha will again lead the team on the field, with Janse van Rensburg as her deputy.
'We were boosted by the second half performance last weekend, but that is in the past and we approach this one with a different team and some tweaks in the game plan,' said De Bruin.
'I would like to see the team play with more freedom on attack, but that focus area will only bring results if we finish our lead-up play. We are so close to combining all the good things we do, and this is the final opportunity to get it right before the trip to England.
'We must finish all the good things we start, that is a non-negotiable.'
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