Babalwa Latsha will captain the Springbok Women against France in Northampton on Sunday, with Mary Zulu and Anathi Qolo handed their first World Cup starts.
Latsha, South Africa’s most-capped prop, will lead the team for the first time at this level as coach Swys de Bruin made several changes to the side that beat Italy in York last weekend.
Zulu will start at flyhalf and Qolo at lock alongside Vainah Ubisi. There will also be tournament debuts for hooker Luchell Hanekom, prop Xoliswa Khuzwayo, lock Nomsa Mokwai and loose forward Faith Tshauke, all named on the bench.
Scrumhalf Tayla Kinsey, the most-capped player in Bok Women’s history, is also set to win her 41st cap and third World Cup appearance from the bench.
In the backline, only Chumisa Qawe retains the same jersey from the Italy match, with Byrhandré Dolf restored at fullback and Nadine Roos starting at scrumhalf.
Latsha and No 8 Aseza Hele are the only forwards who keep their places from last week, while Qolo is the sole pack member yet to feature at this year’s tournament.
De Bruin said the selection was influenced by the fact that South Africa have already qualified for the quarter-finals.
“That was ideal for us, as we can now make sure all the players in the squad get game time before the quarter-finals, where we’d love to select from 32 fit and eager players,” said De Bruin. “We were guided by the medical team on the workload of certain players and that also played a role.”
Getting ready for the next job!
Coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt give some insights on France, next up in Pool D. #PlusOne pic.twitter.com/1fbllBs5EC— SA Women’s Rugby (@WomenBoks) September 4, 2025
The rested group includes captain Nolusindiso Booi, Danelle Lochner, Lindelwa Gwala, Sanelisiwe Charlie, Sizophila Solontsi, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Zintle Mpupha and Ayanda Malinga.
“Our plan was that by the end of the pool stage all 32 players would have featured,” De Bruin added. “Our non-playing group were excellent in their support and now it’s their chance. The players really work for each other and that makes the job a lot easier.”
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On France, he said: “They are so experienced at this level and have fantastic flair, but we’ve identified areas where we can put them under pressure, particularly at scrum time and with our kicking game. It’s a great opportunity for our squad to be tested against one of the best teams in the world.”
SPRINGBOK WOMEN – 15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Jakkie Cilliers, 13 Eloise Webb, 12 Chumisa Qawe, 11 Maceala Samboya, 10 Mary Zulu, 9 Nadine Roos, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Catha Jacobs, 6 Lerato Makua, 5 Anathi Qolo, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Babalwa Latsha (c), 2 Micke Gunter, 1 Yonela Ngxingolo.
Bench: 16 Luchell Hanekom, 17 Xoliswa Khuzwayo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Faith Tshauke, 21 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 22 Tayla Kinsey, 23 Aphiwe Ngwevu.
Photo: David Rogers/Getty Images
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