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The South African
7 days ago
- Sport
- The South African
Springbok Women reinforced by duo's return for landmark Canada Test
Zintle Mpupha and Micke Gunter will return to the starting lineup for the Springbok Women to face Canada at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria on Saturday, marking their first encounter with the North Americans. Both players last featured for the Bok Women in the WXV 2 against Italy, missing this year's Tests due to Sevens obligations and injury, respectively. Their inclusion adds experience and depth in what will be South Africa's first home clash against Canada in history. Mpupha, South Africa's top try-scorer, offers attacking firepower while Gunter strengthens the scrum from the No 2 jersey. Captain Nolusindiso Booi will lead the Springbok Women for a record 22nd time in her landmark 51st Test match. She surpasses Mandisa Williams, who shares the previous captaincy record and will serve as flag bearer this Saturday. Scrumhalf Tayla Kinsey extends her Test record to 40 matches, the most for any South African in her position. Babalwa Latsha (35 Tests) and Sinazo Mcatshulwa (37 Tests) further boost a seasoned Springbok pack for the Loftus encounter. Mcatshulwa and Chumisa Qawe move from bench roles in that game to starting positions against Canada at Loftus Versfeld. Catha Jacobs, Yonela Ngxingolo and Byrhandré Dolf return to the bench, having also featured in last year's 66-7 defeat to Canada. Eight Springbok Women players starting Saturday's game also played in that loss to Canada in March 2023. Performance coach Swys de Bruin expects a massive challenge against world No. 2 ranked Canada at altitude in Pretoria. He views the match as crucial preparation for the World Cup, which kicks off next month for the Springbok Women. 'Canada have form and confidence after winning the Pacific Four,' said De Bruin ahead of Saturday's Test match kickoff. De Bruin wants his team to remain physical, stay disciplined, and use Loftus crowd energy to boost their performance. He emphasised the need to expand attacking options while maintaining intense defensive pressure on a well-drilled Canadian side. The Springbok Women will look to play their way, with an eye on testing strategies ahead of next month's tournament. 'This match will be a key indicator of our readiness and progress toward the Rugby World Cup,' De Bruin added. The Test match kicks off at 13h30 on Saturday and will be broadcast live on SuperSport. Springbok Women – 15 Nadine Roos, 14 Jakkie Cilliers, 13 Zintle Mpupha, 12 Chumisa Qawe, 11 Ayanda Malinga, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Tayla Kinsey, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Danelle Lochner,4 Nolusindiso Booi (captain), 3 Babalwa Latsha, 2 Micke Gunter, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie. Subs: 16 Luchell Hanekom, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Lerato Makua, 21 Catha Jacobs, 22 Byrhandré Dolf, 23 Eloise Webb.
IOL News
04-05-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Springbok Women's Sevens secure thrilling victory over Argentina
Zintle Mpupha experience was invaluable for teh Springbok Women's Sevens team against Argentina on Sunday night. | Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix The Springbok Women's Sevens team beat Argentina 17-14 in their drama-filled play-off encounter to secure a crucial place in the Top 4 at the HSBC SVNS play-off tournament at Dignity Health Sports Park in Los Angeles on Sunday. Replacement centre Leigh Fortuin, who had scored her first try for South Africa in an earlier loss against China, scored probably the biggest try of her fledgling sevens career to seal the late win for the Springbok Women's Sevens. The victory means that the South Africans have secured a place in the second-tier World Rugby Sevens Challenger Series next season, and therefore a shot at restoring their core HSBC SVNS World Series status. The Bok Women's Sevens had endured an up- and-down start in their first two pool games in Los Angeles on Saturday, beating Ireland by 12-7 before going down to China 26-12 in their second game. But they were able to set things straight in the play-off against Argentina, who also featured in the Challenger Series tournaments alongside the South Africans. In fact, the South African side had beaten the Argentina Women in the final of the Challenger Series tournament in Poland. The South African side had to make do without the assured presence of injured skipper Mathrin Simmers. But there was plenty of experience in the form of forwards Zintle Mpupha and Simamkele Namba, and exciting attacking talent Nadine Roos. The SA side knocked the ball into touch off the kick-off but drove Argentina back with their rush defence. They failed to take advantage of a break down the right wing, again knocking the ball on in a promising position. Video Player is loading. 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Next Stay Close ✕ The defensive intensity from both sides was noticeable, with the Springbok Women shading the early exchanges. That pressure told when Ayanda Malinga scored the first points for SA after Argentina spilled the ball in a tackle near their tryline. Roos kicked the conversion (7-0). The SA side weathered some pressure from Argentina but Zandile Masuku was yellow-carded with seconds left on the clock in the first half. Argentina made the extra player count straight away, moving the ball through the hands and shifting the South African defence sideways, before scoring via Sofia Gonzalez, and adding the extra two points off the boot. The sides were level at 7-7 at half-time. Coach Renfred Dazel brought Fortuin on for the second half, and she would have the final say. The #BokWomen7s refused to give up and scored two late tries to beat Argentina by 17-14 in their final pool game in LA - more at 😤#RiseUp #HSBCSVNS — SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) May 4, 2025 But Argentina got the first try of the second stanza to go 14-7 up with SA still one player down. Shiniqwa Lamprech was brought on for Masuku. Malinga pulled off a try-saving tackle but the South Africans were getting pinged for repeated infringements at the breakdown. Their handling was also sloppy. The Springbok Women were forced to play on the back foot with three minutes remaining in the match. However, Maria Tshiremba sprinted the length of the field to dot down after Roos intercepted a pass in their 22 and set the speedster on her way. Game on!
