New front row for Bok Women as Ngxingolo strikes 50

The Springbok Women will take one Ireland in the first of two WXV Global Series tests in Cape Town on Saturday with two new props, a new captain and a new wing from the side that beat Spain earlier this month, while Yonela Ngxingolo is in line to become only the second South African woman to reach 50 caps.

With regular captain and tighthead prop Babalwa Latsha injured and ruled out of the two home tests, Sizophila Solontsi takes over the captaincy and Xoliswa Khuzwayo the No 3 jersey for this clash.

Khuzwayo started at loosehead against Spain but will move to the right side of the scrum, with Sanelisiwe Charlie, who was rested in Seville, back in the No 1 jersey.

In the only other change from the starting team against Spain, Maria Tshiremba replaces Patience Mokone on the left wing.

Ngxingolo – who will follow Nolusindiso Booi as the second Springbok Women’s player to reach 50 test caps – will be joined on the bench by fellow prop Thandile Mazwi, who comes in for the injured Nombuyekezo Mdliki, while Anacadia Minnaar, who did not travel to Europe for the matches against Wales, Italy and Spain, has also been included among the replacements.

Springbok Women co-head coach Franzel September said their approach to build depth this season in the build-up to the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup is bearing fruit early following the injuries to both regular tighthead props, Latsha and Mdliki.

“We could call on Thandile with great confidence as she played for us already this year and did well, the same as Xoliswa, who has been in the squad all season,” said September.

“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.

“As a squad we are also 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. 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.”

September said the replacements will play a very important role on Saturday: “This time we have a six two split on paper, but it can be a five three split as well, thanks to the hybrid role Aphiwe Ngwevu is playing.

“She came off the bench as a centre against Italy and as a flanker against Spain, so it is great to have someone of her experience and capability playing in that role. Her physicality and defence certainly bring something off the bench for us, whether as a back or as a loose forward.”

September said Ireland – who will face South Africa for the first time since 2006 – will be a new opponent on the field but have seen them play often in various tournaments and have done their analysis.

“They are well coached and well drilled and will certainly be a tough opponent,” he said. “I think the team that handles the soft moments in the game best, will be successful.”

Kick-off is at 15h00 on Saturday, with tickets available at Ticketmaster.

The Springbok Women team to play Ireland in Cape Town:

15 Jakkie Cilliers (RC Toulon Provence Méditerranée) – 29 caps, 168 points (12 tries, 48 conversions, 8 penalty goals)

14 Alichia Arries (DHL Western Province) – 12 caps, 25 points (5 tries)

13 Maceala Samboya (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 14 caps, 30 points (6 tries)

12 Shiniqwa Lamprecht (Sanlam Boland Dames) - 5 caps, 0 points

11 Maria Tshiremba (SA Rugby contracted) – 3 caps, 25 points (5 tries)

10 Byrhandré Dolf (SA Rugby contracted) – 33 caps, 90 points (9 tries, 21 conversions, 1 penalty goal)

9 Unam Tose (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 34 caps, 17 points (3 tries, 1 conversion)

8 Aseza Hele (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 38 caps, 90 points (18 tries)

7 Lerato Makua (SA Rugby contracted) – 22 caps, 20 points (4 tries)

6 Sizophila Solontsi (captain; SA Rugby contracted) – 39 caps, 50 points (10 tries)