The Springbok Women have been dealt a significant leadership blow ahead of their historic home series against Ireland, with veteran prop Babalwa Latsha ruled out through injury and experienced lock Sizophila Solontsi handed the captaincy for the final two WXV Global Series Tests in Cape Town.

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Latsha, who has led the Springbok Women with distinction and worn the armband through much of their recent campaigns, has been withdrawn from the squad after sustaining an ankle injury during the team’s training camp in Stellenbosch. The 47-cap tighthead will play no part in the back-to-back fixtures against Ireland on 24 and 31 October at Athlone Stadium.

Solontsi, who boasts 39 Test caps and brings a wealth of experience to the role, steps into the breach with Unam Tose named as her vice-captain. The duo previously shared leadership duties when they co-captained the side against Italy last month, a partnership that demonstrated the depth of leadership within the Springbok Women’s ranks and provided a glimpse of the succession planning underway within the squad.

“We are heartbroken to lose Babalwa for these crucial Tests,” said co-coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt. “She has been an inspirational leader for this group, but we have full confidence in Sizophila to step up. She knows what it takes at this level and has the respect of everyone in the squad.”

Double injury blow compounds selection headaches

Latsha’s withdrawal represents the second significant injury setback confirmed by the Springbok Women on Saturday. Nombuyekezo Mdliki, the 19-cap flanker, has failed to recover from the rib injury she sustained during the team’s encounter with Spain earlier this month, ruling her out of contention for the Ireland series.

The loss of both players forces the coaching staff to reshuffle their planning for a series that carries significant weight. Ireland arrive ranked fifth in the world, battle-hardened from their own WXV campaign and representing the kind of quality opposition that will test every facet of the Springbok Women’s game.

Losing a captain and an experienced flanker simultaneously would destabilise most squads. For the Springbok Women, still building depth and establishing themselves as genuine contenders on the global stage, the timing is far from ideal.

Johannes-Haupt and co-coach Franzel September have consistently spoken about building squad depth and ensuring multiple players are exposed to high-pressure situations and leadership responsibilities. The enforced captaincy change, whilst unwelcome, at least provides an opportunity to test that philosophy under genuine match conditions.

Solontsi’s leadership credentials

Solontsi is no stranger to the pressures of international rugby. With 39 caps to her name and a decade of experience navigating the highs and lows of Springbok Women rugby, she brings the kind of composure and tactical understanding that cannot be taught.

Her partnership with Tose against Italy showcased a leadership dynamic built on communication and mutual respect. Now, with Tose as her vice-captain for the Ireland series, that relationship will be tested against opposition that won’t give an inch.

Lock forwards are often the tactical generals of forward packs, calling lineouts, organising defensive patterns, driving maul execution. Solontsi will need to marry those traditional second-row responsibilities with the broader captaincy duties of managing referees, reading game flow, and making critical tactical decisions under pressure.

The good news for the Springbok Women is that Solontsi has been there before. She understands the demands, she’s earned the respect of her teammates, and she’s stepped up when called upon throughout her career.

Historic Ireland series looms large

The timing of these injury setbacks places additional pressure on a series already laden with significance. Ireland have never played a Test match on South African soil, making the back-to-back fixtures at Athlone Stadium genuine history-makers regardless of results.

But the Springbok Women aren’t just looking to participate, they’re hunting scalps. Ireland’s fifth-place world ranking represents a genuine barometer of where South Africa sit in the global pecking order, and positive results would validate the progress made under Johannes-Haupt and September’s leadership.

Athlone Stadium has become something of a fortress for the Springbok Women in recent years, the Cape Town venue providing vocal home support and familiar conditions that have helped deliver memorable victories. The coaching staff will be banking on that home advantage proving decisive once again.

Both matches kick off at 15:00, with tickets available exclusively through Ticketmaster on a per-match basis.