Springbok Women Name Settled Squad for European WXV Tour

Headed into a demanding international slate, co-head coaches Franzel September and Laurian Johannes-Haupt have opted for consistency, balancing an experienced core with promising talent as they lay the foundation toward the 2029 Women's Rugby World Cup.

The squad features 17 forwards and 13 backs, led by captain Babalwa Latsha. While the touring group remains largely unchanged from recent international campaigns, one notable injury replacement brings fresh energy to the backline.

Squad News: Injury Blow and Opportunity

The roster news is headlined by the omission of veteran midfielder Zintle Mpupha, who suffered an ankle injury during last week's Test against the Black Ferns at FNB Stadium.

In her place, coaches have called up 20-year-old Isuzu Bulls Daisies centre Naima Hlatshwayo. The former Junior Springbok Women standout made an impressive Test debut at the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Nairobi earlier this year, scoring two tries across three appearances before missing the July series against the USA through injury. Hlatshwayo stands as the only player in the 30-woman group who was not involved in the immediate buildup to the New Zealand fixture.

Core Experience and Long-Term Building

South Africa arrives in Europe riding momentum, having won six of their eight Test matches in 2026. The roster balances heavy Test experience with rising prospects:

• The Veteran Anchor: Captain Babalwa Latsha (44 caps) leads a trio of players possessing over 40 Test caps, joined by prop Yonela Ngxingolo (47 caps) and hooker Lindelwa Gwala (41 caps).

• Mid-Tier Core: Eight players boast between 30 and 40 caps, including playmaker Libbie Janse van Rensburg (35 caps, 221 points), loose forward Aseza Hele (35 caps), and back-rower Sizophila Solontsi (36 caps).

• Emerging Depth: The inclusion of players with 10 caps or fewer reflects the coaching staff's strategy to broaden depth and test emerging talent against world-class opposition.

Springbok Women WXV Tour Squad

Backs (13)

• Byrhandré Dolf (SA Rugby contracted) – 30 caps, 81 pts

• Jakkie Cilliers (Rugby Club Toulon Provence Méditerranée) – 26 caps, 157 pts

• Alichia Arries (DHL Western Province) – 10 caps, 25 pts

• Maceala Samboya (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 11 caps, 25 pts

• Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies) – 36 caps, 85 pts

• Shiniqwa Lamprecht (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 3 caps, 0 pts

• Naima Hlatshwayo (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 3 caps, 10 pts

• Patience Mokone (SA Rugby contracted) – 5 caps, 20 pts

• Maria Tshiremba (SA Rugby contracted) – 1 cap, 15 pts

• Ayanda Malinga (SA Rugby contracted) – 20 caps, 85 pts

• Libbie Janse van Rensburg (SA Rugby contracted) – 35 caps, 221 pts

• Unam Tose (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 32 caps, 17 pts

• Anacadia Minnaar (EP Queens) – 9 caps, 3 pts

Forwards (17)

• Xoliswa Khuzwayo (Golden Lions Women) – 14 caps, 10 pts

• Sanelisiwe Charlie (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 33 caps, 10 pts

• Yonela Ngxingolo (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 47 caps, 20 pts

• Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies) – 16 caps, 10 pts

• Babalwa Latsha (Captain, DHL Western Province) – 44 caps, 40 pts

• Lindelwa Gwala (Sharks Women) – 41 caps, 90 pts

• Anushka Groenewald (DHL Western Province) – 11 caps, 0 pts

• Micke Gunter (Leicester Tigers) – 18 caps, 10 pts

• Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women) – 25 caps, 10 pts

• Vainah Ubisi (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 27 caps, 45 pts

• Nomsa Mokwai (DHL Western Province) – 20 caps, 0 pts

• Catha Jacobs (Golden Lions Women) – 31 caps, 5 pts

• Sizophila Solontsi (SA Rugby contracted) – 36 caps, 50 pts

• Sinelitha Noxeke (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 9 caps, 5 pts

• Lerato Makua (SA Rugby contracted) – 20 caps, 20 pts

• Logan Welman (DHL Western Province) – 6 caps, 25 pts

• Aseza Hele (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 35 caps, 85 pts

Tour Itinerary & European Schedule

The squad departs Cape Town on Saturday afternoon to initiate their three-match European tour:

• Wales vs South Africa – Friday, 18 September | Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff

• Italy vs South Africa – Saturday, 26 September | Stadio Omero Tognon, Pordenone

• Spain vs South Africa – Sunday, 4 October | Estadio Olímpico de la Cartuja, Seville

Following their European campaign, the Springbok Women return home to host Ireland for a two-Test series in Cape Town on 24 and 31 October.

Final Whistle

The selection of a experienced and durable squad underscores South Africa's determination to test itself against northern hemisphere opposition in the WXV Global Series. While the injury to Zintle Mpupha is a setback, the inclusion of Naima Hlatshwayo highlights the growing talent pool within South African domestic rugby. As the squad departs Cape Town, their performances in Cardiff, Pordenone, and Seville will provide a clear gauge of their progress on the global stage.

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