Ayanda Malinga will make a return to Test rugby for the first time since 2022 after being named on the left wing for the Springbok Women’s opening match of WXV 2 against Japan at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town on Friday.
Malinga last played Test rugby for her country in August 2022 when she scored a brace against Spain at Emirates Airline Park before continuing her international career with the Springbok Women’s Sevens squad, playing at the 2022 Rugby World Cup Sevens in Cape Town and HSBC SVNS in 2023/24.
Performance coach Swys de Bruin made two changes to the starting team that outplayed Spain last Thursday at the same venue, with Malinga coming in for the injured Shaunique Hess, and experienced prop Babalwa Latsha swopping jerseys with Azisa Mkiva, who will start on the bench this time around.
De Bruin also named Micke Gunter, Anathi Qolo and Unam Tose on a bench featuring six forwards, with Tose and Zintle Mpupha the only backs amongst the replacements.
According to De Bruin, their tactics for the match and the type of opposition expected from Japan played a role in team selection, but he said there is a wider objective as well.
“The mindset is around preparing for the Rugby World Cup next year, so these are all building blocks towards that,” said De Bruin.
“Having said that, we want to do really well in this tournament and improve our world ranking. All three our opponents are ranked higher than we are, so it will be a nice challenge. For this game against Japan, we put certain plans in place, but the bottom line is that we need a result as well.”
They expect a fast-paced game from Japan, said De Bruin: “Japan play a fast game, they apply a lot of pressure defensively and chop your legs, so we need to overcome that. We will have to suffocate them and make sure we control the tempo and territory.”
De Bruin said there is a positive mindset amongst the coaching staff and the players.
“The coaches are very keen to get going and have a nervous excitement of what is to come,” he said. “We have played against the Barbarians and Spain which delivered positive results, but now is the time to shine for us.”
De Bruin feels that the home support and knowledge of the conditions will benefit South Africa: “The fact that we have played at the venue twice now will help, especially with the wind. Against Spain it was really strong and swirling and our players will be able to cope with that if it happens again. The players also loved the crowds who came in and responded well to that support.”
The match will kick off WXV2 on Friday, with two more matches to be played at the DHL Stadium on Saturday, when Australia take on Wales at 12h30 before Italy play Scotland at 15h00.
Springbok Women’s team to face Japan in Cape Town:
15. Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Bulls Daisies) – 23 caps, 204 points (11 tries, 55 conversions, 12 penalty goals, 1 drop goal)
14. Jakkie Cilliers (Bulls Daisies) – 14 caps, 74 points (7 tries, 15 conversions, 3 penalty goals)
13. Eloise Webb (Border Ladies) – 11 caps, 30 points (6 tries)
12. Chumisa Qawe (Bulls Daisies) – 16 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
11. Ayanda Malinga (Bulls Daisies) – 8 Tests, 50 points (10 tries)
10. Nadine Roos (unattached) – 12 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
9. Tayla Kinsey (Sharks Women) – 36 caps, 48 points (2 tries, 16 conversions, 2 penalty goals)
8. Aseza Hele (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 22 caps, 45 points (9 tries)
7. Sinazo Mcatshulwa (DHL Western Province) – 32 caps, 45 points (9 tries)
6. Sizophila Solontsi (Bulls Daisies) – 22 caps, 40 points (8 tries)
5. Vainah Ubisi (Bulls Daisies) – 15 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
4. Nolusindiso Booi (captain, DHL Western Province) – 46 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
3. Babalwa Latsha (Harlequins Women) – 30 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
2. Lindelwa Gwala (Ealing Trailfinders Women) – 33 caps, 70 points (14 tries)
1. Sanelisiwe Charlie (Bulls Daisies) – 19 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Replacements:
16. Micke Gunter (Bulls Daisies) – 8 caps, 0 points
17. Yonela Ngxingolo (Bulls Daisies) – 29 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
18. Azisa Mkiva (DHL Western Province) – 10 caps, 0 points
19. Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women) – 13 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
20. Catha Jacobs (Leicester Tigers Women) – 16 caps, 5 points (1 try)
21. Anathi Qolo (Bulls Daisies) – 4 caps, 0 points
22. Unam Tose (Bulls Daisies) – 20 Tests, 0 points
23. Zintle Mpupha (Bulls Daisies) – 21 caps, 101 points (19 tries, 3 conversions)
Fuzzy Logic Hottie
Sport Trivia: At which race course is the Durban July run every year? Answer: Greyville – The Durban July, which was first run in 1897, is South Africa\’s equivalent of Britain\’s Royal Ascot. The race takes place over 2.2 kms and is run on the first Saturday of July each year at the Greyville Race course.
Beetle King
Virender Sehwag is the only batsman who got an 80+ strike rate after playing 100 or more tests.