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Springbok Women putting WXV building blocks in place

The Springbok Women will be looking for a few important outcomes when they face Kenya at the University of the Western Cape Rugby Club on Saturday and for the team’s captain on the day, Babalwa Latsha, a number of building blocks will have to put in place for both teams in the clash.

“We are excited to play Kenya,” said Latsha.

“We have met them earlier this year, but it was under different circumstances and with a different team. The are preparing for the WXV 3 tournament, so both teams will be looking to get a lot out of the game and that could make it a very interesting one.

“This is all to prepare for WXV and how we arrive at that tournament in the best shape possible. We have a huge challenge awaiting us and we need to rock up the best prepared we can be. So, tomorrow is an important step towards that.”

One of those building blocks will be a powerful performance by their pack, Latsha insisted.

“We are a forward driven team, there is no secret about it,” she said.

“Our focus on scrumming and mauling is in our DNA, that is the way South Africans play and we are no different. Tomorrow will be more of the same as we fine-tune our game in those elements of play.”

Latsha, who graduated with a law degree from UWC, is excited to return to her alma mater.

“The UWC return is special, but it will be more special is the students and supporters come out in numbers to support us. I learned the game of rugby at the university and to come back and play for the Springboks on that campus will be special.”

It will also be a special day for Unathi Mali and Sinelitha Noxeke, who will make their Test debuts, as well as long-standing captain Nolusindiso Booi, who will equal Zenay Jordaan’s record as the most-capped Springbok Women’s player, with 36 Tests.

“’Cindi’ is such a stalwart for this team and to share that moment with her will be fantastic as will be singing the anthem with the debutants. Sinelitha’s mother also played for this team, so to have her donning the same jersey will be a special moment,” Latsha said.

South Africa’s Aimee Barrett-Theron will also achieve a special milestone in the game. She will draw level with Sara Cox (England) as the most-capped women’s referee of all time, with the match in Cape Town being her 35th Test.

Match details: Springbok Women v Kenya Lionesses
Venue: University of Western Cape Rugby Club, Cape Town
Date: Saturday, 16 September 2023
Kick-off: 16h30
Referee: Aimee Barrett-Theron
Live Stream: YouTube

Springbok Women v Kenya Lionesses in Cape Town:
15. Byrhandrè Dolf (Bulls Daisies) – 5 caps, 0 points
14. Veroeshka Grain (DHL Western Province) – 12 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
13. Jakkie Cilliers (Bulls Daisies) – 8 caps, 26 points (2 tries, 5 conversions, 2 penalty goals)
12. Piwokuhle Nyanda (Mastercard Golden Lions Women) – 3 tests, 0 points
11. Unathi Mali (Bulls Daisies) – uncapped
10. Libbie Janse van Rensburg (vice-captain, Bulls Daisies) – 15 caps, 144 points (6 tries, 42 conversions, 9 penalty goals, 1 drop goal)
9. Rumandi Potgieter (Bulls Daisies) – 7 caps, 0 points
8. Lusanda Dumke (Bulls Daisies) – 23 caps, 30 points (6 tries)
7. Catha Jacobs (Leicester Tigers Women) – 10 caps, 0 points
6. Nompumelelo Mathe (Sharks Women) – 14 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
5. Danelle Lochner (DHL Western Province) – 5 caps, 5 points (1 try)
4. Sinazo Mcatshulwa (DHL Western Province) – 22 caps, 40 points (8 tries)
3. Babalwa Latsha (captain, Harlequins Women) – 22 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
2. Roseline Botes (DHL Western Province) – 11 caps, 30 points (6 tries)
1. Yonela Ngxingolo (Bulls Daisies) – 23 caps, 5 points (1 try)

Replacements:

16. Micke Gunter (Bulls Daisies) – 4 caps, 0 points
17. Asithandile Ntoyanto (Bulls Daisies) – 17 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
18. Amber Schonert (Sale Sharks Women) – 2 caps, 0 points
19. Nolusindiso Booi (vice-captain, DHL Western Province) – 35 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
20. Vainah Ubisi (Bulls Daisies) – 4 caps, 0 points
21. Sinelitha Noxeke (Bulls Daisies) – uncapped
22. Unam Tose (Bulls Daisies) – 16 caps, 0 points
23. Mary Zulu (Sharks Women) – 3 cap

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  1. The Man of the Match title is awarded to the player who has contributed the most to make the best impact in a match or series. This title was first used in cricket and can be awarded to any player, whether his team has won or not. The only cricketer to have won the title four consecutive times is Sourav Chandidas Ganguly. The left-handed Dada played for the national team of India.