Springbok Women squad named for historic Black Ferns Test

The Springbok Women have named a 32-player squad ahead of their historic clash against the New Zealand Black Ferns on Saturday, 5 September.

This will be South Africa’s first women’s Test match against New Zealand on home soil.

Veteran Babalwa Latsha will captain the team for the double-header at the FNB Stadium in Johannesburg this weekend.

The women’s team has assembled in Sandton already, with the matchday 23 set to be confirmed on Thursday, 3 September.

Springbok Women vs Black Ferns carries emotional stakes

The curtain-raiser for the third Springboks vs All Blacks Test in Johannesburg is a chance for the Springbok Women to settle the score from a year ago.

New Zealand crushed South Africa 46-17 in the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-finals.

Latsha referenced that loss, according to a recent report on the South African Rugby website.

“A lot has happened since, but it still feels fresh in the memory, playing New Zealand in what was such a huge occasion for us. Most of us in camp were involved in that match, so everyone is ready to have another go at them.”

Latsha scored the first try of that game, and will be eager to do so again in Johannesburg.

South Africa women’s squad announced

Exactly half of the 32 women involved in the 2025 Women’s World Cup defeat have been selected for Saturday’s game.

This includes Babalwa Latsha, Aphiwe Ngwevu, and Byrhandré Dolf.

Lerato Makua, who scored a try in the game a year ago, has been selected, but is not expected to be fit for the match on Saturday.

Meanwhile, four experienced stars are sidelined due to injury: Nadine Roos, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Eloise Webb and Anathi Qolo.

The full Springbok Women squad list is as below:

Forwards (18):
Babalwa Latsha (captain, Western Province) – 43 caps, 40 points (8 tries)
Xoliswa Khuzwayo (Golden Lions Women) – 14 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Sanelisiwe Charlie (Bulls Daisies) – 32 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Yonela Ngxingolo (Bulls Daisies) – 46 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies) – 15 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Lindelwa Gwala (Sharks Women) – 40 caps, 85 points (17 tries)
Micke Gunter (Leicester Tigers) – 18 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Anushka Groenewald (Western Province) – 10 caps, 0 points
Nomsa Mokwai (Western Province) – 19 caps, 0 points
Vainah Ubisi (Bulls Daisies) – 26 caps, 35 points (7 tries)
Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women) – 24 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Sinelitha Noxeke (Bulls Daisies) – 9 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Nobuhle Mjwara (Sharks Women) – 8 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Catha Jacobs (Golden Lions Women) – 30 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Sizophila Solontsi (Bulls Daisies) – 35 caps, 50 points (10 tries)
Aseza Hele (Boland Dames) – 34 caps, 85 points (17 tries)
Logan Welman (Western Province) – 5 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Lerato Makua (Bulls Daisies) – 20 caps, 20 points (4 tries)

Backs (14):
Unam Tose (Bulls Daisies) – 31 caps, 17 points (3 tries, 1 conversion)
Anacadia Minnaar (EP Queens) – 8 caps, 3 points (1 penalty goal)
Felicia Jacobs (Boland Dames) – 13 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Bulls Daisies) – 34 caps, 221 points (14 tries, 56 conversions, 12 penalty goals, 1 drop goal)
Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies) – 35 caps, 80 points (16 tries)
Shiniqwa Lamprecht (Boland Dames) – 2 caps, 0 points
Zintle Mpupha (Bulls Daisies) – 31 caps, 106 points (20 tries, 3 conversions)
Patience Mokone (Bulls Daisies) – 5 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Ayanda Malinga (Bulls Daisies) – 19 caps, 85 points (17 tries)
Jakkie Cilliers (Bulls Daisies) – 26 caps, 157 points (11 tries, 42 conversions, 6 penalty goals)
Maceala Samboya (Boland Dames) – 10 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Maria Tshiremba (Bulls Daisies) – 1 cap, 15 points (3 tries)
Alichia Arries (Western Province) – 9 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Byrhandré Dolf (Bulls Daisies) – 29 caps, 81 points (8 tries, 19 conversions, 1 penalty goal)

When will the match take place?

The Springbok Women and Black Ferns match begins at 13:30 on Saturday, 5 September.

This will be followed by the Springboks vs All Blacks third Test at 17:10.

Will the Springbok Women avenge their 2025 World Cup loss to New Zealand?