The Springbok Women have rolled out the big guns for their WXV Global Series opener against Wales on Friday, naming a rejigged backline and deploying a fearsome six-two bench split that signals serious intent at Cardiff Arms Park.
Fresh off a four-try performance against the mighty Black Ferns in Johannesburg a fortnight ago, coach Franzel September has made strategic tweaks to his starting XV whilst loading the pine with forward firepower designed to blow Wales away in the final quarter.
Logan Welman gets the nod at No 8, swapping places with the barnstorming Aseza Hele, who drops to the bench in the only change to the pack. But it’s amongst the backs where September has shuffled the deck, bringing in Felicia Jacobs at scrumhalf and the electric Maria Tshiremba on the wing after both missed the Soweto showpiece.
Maceala Samboya, who started on the bench against the Black Ferns before replacing the injured Zintle Mpupha at outside centre, has done enough to retain the 13 jersey and will partner the experienced Aphiwe Ngwevu in what promises to be a bruising midfield battle.
Hat trick hero returns
Tshiremba’s inclusion is particularly mouth-watering. The speedster announced her arrival on the international stage with a debut hat-trick against Fiji last month, and she’ll be chomping at the bit to terrorise the Welsh defence under the Friday night lights.
Jacobs, equally dangerous with ball in hand, returns to orchestrate proceedings from the base of the ruck, providing a different dynamic to the Springbok attack.
But it’s the bench composition that tells you everything about South Africa’s game plan. A six-two forward-back split screams one thing: physical domination in the trenches.
Utility forward Sinelitha Noxeke has been added to create that bomb squad feel, joining Hele and the retained trio of props Xoliswa Khuzwayo and Nombuyekezo Mdliki, plus lock Nomsa Mokwai. That’s serious grunt coming off the pine.
Jakkie Cilliers and Patience Mokone will provide backline cover, with Cilliers wearing the scrumhalf backup jersey.
Experience meets ambition
Babalwa Latsha, who made her debut at this very ground in 2018, will captain the side once more. The veteran tighthead is already the most capped player in that position in Springbok Women’s history, and she’ll have another Cardiff Arms Park memory to add to the collection come Friday evening.
Libbie Janse van Rensburg serves as vice-captain and could extend her remarkable Test points record of 221, a tally built on 14 tries, 56 conversions, 12 penalties and a drop goal across 35 caps. The playmaker scored a try in South Africa’s last appearance at Cardiff Arms Park in 2021, and she’ll fancy adding to that haul.
Lindelwa Gwala brings her own slice of history, sitting as the most capped hooker to don the green and gold since that maiden Test match against Wales in Port Elizabeth back in 2004. Meanwhile, Ngwevu has played more Test matches at inside centre than any of her peers, experience that will prove invaluable in the cauldron of Cardiff.
On the flip side, Tshiremba, Mokone and Welman will experience their first WXV campaign, a tournament that represents the next step in their international education.
Building depth with eyes on 2029
September made no bones about his selection philosophy: this tour is about more than just winning matches. It’s about building a squad capable of challenging for glory at the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup.
“We are well underway towards the 2029 Women’s Rugby World Cup, not only in our planning, but also giving players experience at the highest level, something that this WXV Global Series will provide,” September explained.
“This opening weekend is important for us, as we need to set the tone for the remaining two matches. So, we kept to what we know but also recognise that we need to expand our base.”
That balancing act, maintaining winning momentum whilst blooding new talent, is the eternal challenge for any coach with one eye on the future. September appears to have struck the right balance, retaining the core of the side that troubled New Zealand whilst injecting fresh energy where needed.
Set piece showdown
If there’s one area where this match will be won and lost, it’s the set-piece. Both sides pride themselves on scrum and lineout dominance, and September is under no illusions about the battle awaiting his pack.
“Yes, it will be huge in the set phases, as both of us are strong in that department,” he said. “I am happy with our progress in that area of our game in the eight matches we have played this year, but we know Wales will ask different questions here in Cardiff. We prepared well and will be ready for the challenge.”
The Springbok scrum has become a genuine weapon in 2026, with the Latsha-Gwala-Charlie front row providing a rock-solid platform. Behind them, the Ubisi-Lochner second row partnership has grown in stature, whilst the back row trio of Solontsi, Catha Jacobs and Welman offers dynamism and dog.
When that six-two bench starts emptying in the final quarter, Wales could find themselves overwhelmed by fresh Springbok muscle.
Kick-off: Friday, 19 September 2026, Cardiff Arms Park
Springbok Women Starting XV:
- Byrhandré Dolf
- Maria Tshiremba
- Maceala Samboya
- Aphiwe Ngwevu
- Ayanda Malinga
- Libbie Janse van Rensburg (vice-captain)
- Felicia Jacobs
- Logan Welman
- Catha Jacobs
- Sizophila Solontsi
- Danelle Lochner
- Vainah Ubisi
- Babalwa Latsha (captain)
- Lindelwa Gwala
- Sanelisiwe Charlie
Replacements:
- Micke Gunter
- Xoliswa Khuzwayo
- Nombuyekezo Mdliki
- Nomsa Mokwai
- Aseza Hele
- Sinelitha Noxeke
- Jakkie Cilliers
- Patience Mokone
