Springbok Women Squad Announced for WXV Tour

The Springbok Women embarked on their three-match European tour, which started the WXV Global Series, with a settled squad. Former Junior Springbok Women centre Naima Hlatshwayo was included in place of the injured Zintle Mpupha. Mpupha suffered an ankle injury against the Black Ferns on September 9, which ruled her out of the tour, leading Bok Women co-coaches Franzel September and Laurian Johannes-Haupt to select her Isuzu Bulls Daisies team-mate as a replacement.

Hlatshwayo is the only player in the tour squad who did not participate in preparations for the Test against New Zealand. The 20-year-old centre from the Nellmapius Rugby Club had made her Test debut at the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Nairobi earlier in the year, scoring tries in two of her three Test matches. She missed the two-Test series against the USA in July due to injury.

The squad features seasoned players, including team captain Babalwa Latsha, who has 44 caps and is one of three players with over 40 caps. Notably, there is a core group of eight players in the 30-40 caps range. After their final training session in Stellenbosch, September expressed satisfaction with the squad's durability and experience.

"We have been building towards this tour for quite a while, starting with the introduction of new players at the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, followed by the USA Tests, the tour to Fiji, and last weekend’s match against the Black Ferns," said September.

He acknowledged the loss of Mpupha but considered it a great opportunity for Hlatshwayo, who was part of the squad in Kenya and in the USA squad prior but missed out due to injury.

September emphasized the squad's goal to build experience toward the next World Cup in 2029, highlighting that the core of the squad boasts over 20 caps. Those with fewer than 10 caps indicate a strategy to develop players ready to contribute in future competitions.

The Springbok Women have won six of their eight Tests played in the year, stepping into the challenging WXV Global Series. September highlighted the importance of every fixture in delivering meaningful international rugby.

The squad departed from Cape Town on Saturday afternoon. The tour commenced with a Test against Wales in Cardiff on September 18, followed by matches against Italy in Pordenone on September 26 and Spain in Seville on October 4. Afterward, the South Africans are set to return home for two matches against Ireland in Cape Town on October 24 and 31.

Springbok Women WXV Global Series squad:
Backs (13): Byrhandré Dolf, Jakkie Cilliers, Alichia Arries, Maceala Samboya, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Naima Hlatshwayo, Patience Mokone, Maria Tshiremba, Ayanda Malinga, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Unam Tose, Anacadia Minnaar.
Forwards (17): Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Sanelisiwe Charlie, Yonela Ngxingolo, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Babalwa Latsha, Lindelwa Gwala, Anushka Groenewald, Micke Gunter, Danelle Lochner, Vainah Ubisi, Nomsa Mokwai, Catha Jacobs, Sizophila Solontsi, Sinelitha Noxeke, Lerato Makua, Logan Welman, Aseza Hele.

Springbok Women fixtures – WXV Global Series tour:
- Wales v South Africa
Date: September 18, 2026
Venue: Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff
- Italy v South Africa
Date: September 26, 2026
Venue: Stadio Omero Tognon, Pordenone
- Spain v South Africa
Date: October 4, 2026
Venue: Estadio Olímpico de la Cartuja, Seville.