Springbok Women Name Settled Squad for WXV Global Series Tour of Europe
The Springbok Women will embark on their three-match European tour to kick-start the new WXV Global Series with a settled squad, including former Junior Springbok Women centre Naima Hlatshwayo in place of the injured Zintle Mpupha, when they face Wales at the Cardiff Arms Park in Cardiff, Wales on Friday, 18 September 2026.
The experienced Mpupha picked up an ankle injury against the Black Ferns on Saturday, 5 September 2026, which ruled her out of the tour, and Bok Women co-coaches Franzel September and Laurian Johannes-Haupt selected Mpupha’s Isuzu Bulls Daisies team-mate Hlatshwayo as her replacement.
Hlatshwayo is the only player in the tour squad who was not involved in preparations for the Test against New Zealand, but the 20-year-old centre from the Nellmapius Rugby Club made her Test debut at the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Nairobi earlier this year, scoring tries in two of her three Tests. Injury ruled her out of the two-Test series against the USA in July.
The rest of the squad is well accustomed to the rigours of Test rugby, with captain Babalwa Latsha (44 caps) one of three players with more than 40 caps, while a core group of eight players sits in the 30 to 40 caps bracket.
Following the final training session in Stellenbosch on Friday, 11 September, September expressed satisfaction with the durability and experience of the selected squad.
“We have been building towards this tour for a while now, first with the introduction of new players at the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup, then the USA incoming Tests, the tour to Fiji, and last weekend’s match against the Black Ferns.”
Springbok Women Co-Coach, Franzel September
“It was a pity to lose Zintle, but at the same time, this creates a great opportunity for Naima, who was part of our squad in Kenya and was in the USA squad, but unfortunately injured at the time.
“The core of our squad has more than 20 caps, which reflects on our wider plan to build experience towards the next World Cup in 2029, while those with 10 caps or fewer point to our plans to bring in players that have been knocking on the door.”
September believes the squad can continue the good form shown this year: “We have won six of our eight Tests played this year, but we now step into the WXV Global Series, where you are playing the best of the best.
“We welcome that challenge too. Every fixture matters and will be delivering meaningful international rugby every year and that is what makes it so exciting to be part of this global spectacle.”
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The squad departed from Cape Town on the afternoon of Saturday, 12 September. After the Cardiff opener, the tour continues with Tests against Italy in Pordenone on Saturday, 26 September and Spain in Seville on Sunday, 4 October, before the South Africans return home for two matches against Ireland in Cape Town on Saturday, 24 October and Saturday, 31 October.
The Springbok Women WXV Global Series European Tour from 18 September to 4 October 2026
Fri 18 Sept: Wales vs. South Africa (Cardiff Arms Park, Cardiff)
Sat 26 Sept: Italy vs. South Africa (Stadio Omero Tognon, Pordenone)
Sun 4 Oct: Spain vs. South Africa (Estadio Olímpico de la Cartuja, Seville)
Springbok Women WXV Global Series Squad
Backs (13)
Byrhandré Dolf (SA Rugby contracted): 30 caps, 81 points (8 tries, 19 conversions, 1 penalty goal)
Jakkie Cilliers (Rugby Club Toulon Provence Méditerranée): 26 caps, 157 points (11 tries, 42 conversions, 6 penalty goals)
Alichia Arries (DHL Western Province): 10 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Maceala Samboya (Sanlam Boland Dames): 11 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies): 36 caps, 85 points (17 tries)
Shiniqwa Lamprecht (Sanlam Boland Dames): 3 caps, 0 points
Naima Hlatshwayo (Isuzu Bulls Daisies): 3 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Patience Mokone (SA Rugby contracted): 5 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Maria Tshiremba (SA Rugby contracted): 1 cap, 15 points (3 tries)
Ayanda Malinga (SA Rugby contracted): 20 caps, 85 points (17 tries)
Libbie Janse van Rensburg (SA Rugby contracted): 35 caps, 221 points (14 tries, 56 conversions, 12 penalty goals, 1 drop goal)
Unam Tose (Isuzu Bulls Daisies): 32 caps, 17 points (3 tries, 1 conversion)
Anacadia Minnaar (EP Queens): 9 caps, 3 points (1 penalty goal)
Forwards (17)
Xoliswa Khuzwayo (Golden Lions Women): 14 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Sanelisiwe Charlie (Isuzu Bulls Daisies): 33 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Yonela Ngxingolo (Isuzu Bulls Daisies): 47 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies): 16 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Babalwa Latsha (captain, DHL Western Province): 44 caps, 40 points (8 tries)
Lindelwa Gwala (Sharks Women): 41 caps, 90 points (18 tries)
Anushka Groenewald (DHL Western Province): 11 caps, 0 points
Micke Gunter (Leicester Tigers): 18 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women): 25 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Vainah Ubisi (Isuzu Bulls Daisies): 27 caps, 45 points (9 tries)
Nomsa Mokwai (DHL Western Province): 20 caps, 0 points
Catha Jacobs (Golden Lions Women): 31 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Sizophila Solontsi (SA Rugby contracted): 36 caps, 50 points (10 tries)
Sinelitha Noxeke (Isuzu Bulls Daisies): 9 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Lerato Makua (SA Rugby contracted): 20 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Logan Welman (DHL Western Province): 6 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Aseza Hele (Sanlam Boland Dames): 35 caps, 85 points (17 tries)
Original Copy: SA Rugby Communications, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: The Springbok Women take a settled and experienced squad of 30 players on a three-match European tour that launches the new WXV Global Series, with captain Babalwa Latsha leading a group built around a core of seasoned Test campaigners ahead of the opening Test against Wales at the Cardiff Arms Park in Cardiff, Wales on Friday, 18 September 2026. Photo: SA Rugby / Gallo Images
Crédito: Link de origem