Springbok Women head coach Swys de Bruin has gone with a bold 7-1 bench split for Saturday’s World Cup quarter-final against New Zealand in Exeter.
De Bruin has doubled down on South Africa’s physical strengths, with locks Vainah Ubisi and Anathi Qolo, loose forwards Catha Jacobs and Lerato Makua, and front-rowers Yonela Nxgingola, Luchell Hanekom and Nombuyekezo Mdliki making up a powerful Bomb Squad. Eloise Webb covers the entire backline.
“We decided on the 7-1 split because of the profile of our team,” said De Bruin. “We like to dominate upfront and playing two fresh packs – in each half – against the Black Ferns is a tactical decision.
“We rested all those players against France to be ready for this Test and now it is time for them to take on New Zealand with fresh legs and eager minds.”
The starting lineup closely resembles the one that beat Italy in York to secure a first-ever World Cup quarter-final.
De Bruin acknowledged the scale of the challenge posed by the Black Ferns but urged his players to embrace it.
“They have won the World Cup six times already, but we have improved so much, and few teams will beat our heart and guts. Leave nothing on the field. We will carry you off if you are too tired to walk at the end of it. This is the biggest game of your life.”
SPRINGBOK WOMEN – 15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Maceala Samboya, 13 Zintle Mpupha, 12 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 11 Ayanda Malinga, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Nadine Roos, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Danelle Lochner, 4 Nolusindiso Booi (c), 3 Babalwa Latsha , 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie.
Bench: 16 Luchell Hanekom, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Vainah Ubisi, 20 Anathi Qolo, 21 Lerato Makua, 22 Catha Jacobs, 23 Eloise Webb.
Photo: Matthew Lewis/Getty Images
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