Springboks Women Performance coach Swys de Bruin has moved Byrhandré Dolf and Eloise Webb from the bench into the starting line-up for the second Test against Canada on Saturday in Gqeberha.
The Bok Women are hoping to redeem themselves after a 50-20 thumping last week in Pretoria at the hands of the Canadians in what served as the curtain-raiser for the Springboks Men’s Test against Italy.
Dolf will be playing at fullback and Webb will assume the flyhalf role for the second Test, which kicks off at 1.30pm at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium. It will be the first time both players will play in those positions.
In a surprise move, Nadine Roos has also shuffled around and will play at scrumhalf instead of fullback. Libbie Janse van Rensburg will play inside centre after starting at flyhalf in Pretoria.
Upfront, Catha Jacobs will pack down on the side of the scrum, while the front five remain unchanged for the second test.
De Bruin said they plan on using the test to iron out strategies and combinations for the team ahead of the 2025 Rugby World Cup in England later this year. He said they are expecting a big crowd, given that 10 of the players in the team are from the Eastern Cape.
“We have this opportunity now to try new things, so want to use those before the Rugby World Cup starts. We have also tweaked some tactical plays, and I can honestly say that I am very, very excited about the weekend.” De Bruin said.
“These two Test matches against Canada and the two encounters against the Black Ferns XV at the end of the month were requested to provide high calibre opposition and for our squad to experience the pressures of playing the top players in the world.
“We got good pictures out of the first Test and this weekend here in Gqeberha, we know we will learn more. The focus is solely on us and trying out new combinations this weekend is all part of the broader picture.”
Springbok Women’s team to face Canada in Gqeberha:
15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Jakkie Cilliers, 13 Zintle Mpupha, 12 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 11 Ayanda Malinga, 10 Eloise Webb, 9 Nadine Roos, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Catha Jacobs, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Danelle Lochner, 4 Nolusindiso Booi (captain), 3 Babalwa Latsha, 2 Micke Gunter, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie.
Replacements: 16 Luchell Hanekom, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Azisa Mkiva, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 21 Lerato Makua, 22 Unam Tose, 23 Chumisa Qawe.
