Latsha to lead Bok Women as Zulu and Qolo earn first World Cup starts

Babalwa Latsha will lead the Springbok Women into battle when they take on France in Northampton on Sunday, when Mary Zulu (flyhalf) and Anathi Qolo (lock) will make their Women’s Rugby World Cup debuts in the starting team in the Pool D decider at Franklin’s Gardens.

Latsha, the most capped prop in Bok Women history, will lead the team for the first time at this level as Swys de Bruin (head coach) made several changes to the side that beat Italy in York last weekend.

Apart from Zulu and Qolo, who will start at lock next to Vainah Ubisi, there will be first appearances at the 2025 WRWC for Luchell Hanekom (hooker), Xoliswa Khuzwayo (prop), Nomsa Mokwai (lock) and Faith Tshauke (loose forward), all of whom are set to make their tournament debuts from the bench.

The most capped scrumhalf in Springbok Women history, Tayla Kinsey, will also add a third Rugby World Cup arrow to her quiver when she comes off the bench against France, a team she has faced four times before, including at the previous RWC, held in New Zealand in 2022, in what will be her 41st Test cap.

In the backline, only Chumisa Qawe will be starting in the same jersey as last week, while Byrhandré Dolf and Nadine Roos return as fullback and scrumhalf respectively, having played on the wing and fullback against Italy.

Latsha and Aseza Hele (No 8) are the only forwards who started against Italy, with Qolo the only member of the pack who has not played in either of the first two matches.

De Bruin said the tweaks in combinations were based on a couple of factors, including the fact that they have already qualified for the quarter-finals next weekend.

“That was ideal for us, as we can now make sure that all the players in the squad will get game time before the quarter-finals, where we would love to select from 32 players eager and fit to play,” said De Bruin.

“We were guided by our medical team about the workload of certain players and that played a role as well.”

These include team captain Nolusindiso Booi, fellow lock Danelle Lochner, hooker Lindelwa Gwala, prop Sanelisiwe Charlie, flanker Sizophila Solontsi and backs Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Zintle Mpupha and Ayanda Malinga.

“We decided before the tournament even started that in an ideal world, by the end of the pool stage, all 32 players would have played a part in the match day squads and be serious contenders for a place in the quarterfinal squad and that worked out well for us,” added De Bruin, who said he was pleased that their original planning worked out and that all players will have a chance to play in the tournament.

“Our non-playing group in the first two games were excellent in their support and keeping everyone honest, so I am happy for them now getting a chance to play.

“That role is now taken over by those not selected for the weekend and they already got stuck in. They studied what France like to do and emulated that in our training sessions in order to help the match day squad. These players really work for each other and that makes the job a lot easier for everyone.”

De Bruin said the French have shown over many matches what they can do but he is backing his charges to continue their fine form in the tournament.

“They are so experienced playing at this level and have fantastic flair and attacking ability,” he said.

“That said, we did pick up potential areas where we can put them under pressure, with our scrums at the forefront of that plan, as well as a kicking strategy that could force a change in their standard set-up. It is such a great opportunity for our squad to be tested by one of the best teams in the world and we cannot wait.”

A draw for South Africa in the final match of the pool stage against France would be enough to lift the Springbok Women to a new high of eighth on the world rankings, above a winning USA (against Samoa) and Italy (against Brazil).

South Africa could jump as high as seventh if they beat France and Australia lose to tournament hosts England.

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France v South Africa at Franklin's Gardens, Northampton - Sunday @ 5.45pm

Referee: Clara Munarini (FIR)

Assistant Referees: Lauren Jenner (FIR), Jess Ling (RA)

Television Match Official: Rachel Horton (RA)

Split Screen/FPRO: Leo Colgan (IRFU)

Springbok Women starting XV: 15 Byrhandré Dolf – 24 caps, 57 points (7 tries, 11 conversions), 14 Jakkie Cilliers – 21 caps, 106 points (9 tries, 23 conversions, 5 penalties), 13 Eloise Webb – 18 caps, 30 points (6 tries), 12 Chumisa Qawe – 23 caps, 20 points (4 tries), 11 Maceala Samboya – 5 caps, 20 points (4 tries); 10 Mary Zulu – 15 caps, 40 points (20 conversions), 9 Nadine Roos – 20 caps, 45 points (7 tries, 5 conversions); 8 Aseza Hele – 30 caps, 85 points (17 tries), 7 Catha Jacobs – 24 caps, 5 points (1 try), 6 Lerato Makua – 17 caps, 20 points (4 tries); 5 Anathi Qolo – 9 caps, 5 points (1 try), 4 Vainah Ubisi – 20 caps, 15 points (3 tries); 3 Babalwa Latsha (captain) – 38 caps, 30 points (6 tries), 2 Micke Gunter – 15 caps, 5 points (1 try), 1 Yonela Ngxingolo – 37 caps, 15 points (3 tries). Replacements: 16 Luchell Hanekom - 9 caps, 0 points, 17 Xoliswa Khuzwayo – 8 caps, 0 points, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki – 7 caps, 0 points, 19 Nomsa Mokwai –13 caps, 0 points, 20 Faith Tshauke – 3 caps, 15 points (3 tries), 21 Sinazo Mcatshulwa – 40 caps, 60 points (12 tries), 22 Tayla Kinsey – 40 caps, 53 points (3 tries, 16 conversions, 2 penalties), 23 Aphiwe Ngwevu – 29 caps, 65 points (13 tries).

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Match official moments

• Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa) takes charge of Canada v Scotland for the first time. She has refereed Canada three times before on the Women's Rugby World Cup stage, including their semi-final loss to England three years ago.

• Natarsha Ganley (New Zealand) will referee USA v Samoa for the first time time, with both teams yet to taste victory with the New Zealand official in the middle.

• Kat Roche (USA) takes charge of Fiji for the first time in a Test when they face Wales, a side who lost their last encounter with Roche in the middle, 24-21 to Scotland in the 2025 Women's Six Nations.

• Aurélie Groizeleau (France) referees England v Australia for the first time in the Pool A decider. The Red Roses are yet to lose in 15 Tests with Groizeleau in the middle, while the French official last refereed the Wallaroos in a 2019 win over Japan.

• Sara Cox (England) will become the first female to referee 50 Tests – and 16th official in history – when she takes charge of Japan v Spain for the first time. Japan lost their most recent match with Cox in the middle, against Italy last month, while Spain have won twice on the Women's Rugby World Cup stage with the English official in the middle.

• Maggie Cogger-Orr (New Zealand) referees Brazil for the first time when they take on Italy. The Azzurre have a losing record with the New Zealand official in charge but their solitary win came against Japan at RWC 2021.

• Hollie Davidson (Scotland) will take charge of New Zealand v Ireland for the first time. Two of the Black Ferns' three wins with Davidson in the middle have come at a Women's Rugby World Cup, including the RWC 2021 final, while Ireland have lost their last three tests with the Scottish referee in charge.

• Clara Munarini (Italy) referees the final pool match, between France and South Africa, for the first time. Les Bleues have won their last two matches with the Italian as referee, while South Africa's two wins in six tests have come against Spain and Samoa.