When we secured the match against England’s Under-20s, we decided to give some of our younger players in the group the chance to show their worth and to gain some match experience on tour.
SPRINGBOK Women’s coach Stanley Raubenheimer says their friendly against the England Under-20 side is an opportunity for players to “stake a claim for future selection” – including for next year’s World Cup in New Zealand.
Raubenheimer has selected Catha Jacobs to captain a fresh Springbok Women’s side in Sunday’s clash and has opted to grow experience as he handed 12 players their first start of the November tour for the match in London. The Springbok Women lost their tour-opener 46-3 to France in Vannes, before going down 29-19 to Wales in Cardiff last week.
The run-on side also includes two uncapped players in Blue Bulls Women’s scrumhalf Rumandi Potgieter and EP Queens prop Monica Mazibukwana. Among the replacements, Tanya Scholtz – the only uncapped player on the bench – is also in line to make her debut.
There will also be maiden tour appearances for Donelle Snyders, Bernice Strydom, Micke Gunter and Sanelisiwe Charlie.
Chumisa Qawe and Sizo Solontsi are the only players who will start for a third week in a row, while Libbie Janse van Rensburg and Jacobs also added to their Test caps against both France and Wales.
“When we secured the match against England’s Under-20s, we decided to give some of our younger players in the group the chance to show their worth and to gain some match experience on tour,” Raubenheimer explained. “This match will be a valuable opportunity to stake a claim for future selections, which will of course include the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand next year.
“A couple of the players are coming back from injury, others have worked hard as non-playing squad members and there are those who have not played for this team in a while.”
The match kicks off at 3pm (SA time).
Springbok Women to face England Under-20 in London: 15. Donelle Snyders 14. Simamkele Namba 13. Jakkie Cilliers 12. Chumisa Qawe 11. Ayanda Malinga 10. Libbie Janse van Rensburg 9. Rumandi Potgieter 8. Sizo Solontsi 7. Catha Jacobs 6. Ziyanda Ngohlekana 5. Lerato Makua 4. Bernice Strydom 3. Monica Mazibukwana 2. Micke Gunter 1. Sanelisiwe Charlie
body.card.intro…: Replacements: 16. Tanya Scholtz 17. Yonela Ngxingolo 18. Amahle Nyoba 19. Rights Mkhari 20. Roseline Botes 21. Unam Tose 22. Nadine Roos 23. Eloise Webb
