Mission unchanged despite tweaks for SA Women ‘A’ in Brazil

The South Africa Women’s ‘A’ squad to face Brazil Women in Sao Paolo on Sunday have been tweaked slightly from the first match between the sides on Monday but the mission to expose the players to high level rugby and build experience remains the same.

SA ‘A’ head coach Bafana Nhleko made two changes to the starting backline and three to the pack for the second match that will complete their two-match tour of Brazil.

The Yaras, as the Brazilian national team is called, won the first match 34-12 but had to work very hard for the victory against a young South African outfit.

The average age of the run-on team will even be younger this time around, with three 19-year-olds in Hayley Hardneck, Isabella Nel and Anitha Fazi included in the starting team.

Fazi moves from fullback to scrumhalf, while Nel gets a start on the left wing after the former hockey star came off the bench last weekend.

Some niggles, especially amongst the loose forwards, also forced Nhleko to experimental changes, such as starting Jada Davids, the incumbent Junior Springbok Women hooker, at openside flanker in place of Yonelisa Plaatjies, who has been included on an extended bench, which will be trimmed on match day.

The other two changes to the pack are in the front row, where Anothando Khatshwa moves from the bench to swop places with Sinothile Bhengu at tighthead prop, while Karabo Lebotsa will start at hooker, with Luchell Hanekom amongst the replacements this time around.

Nelson Mandela University student Yonda Nokwe (flanker) has been included on the bench and if she gets game time, she will get the opportunity to don the green and gold for her debut on tour.

SA Women’s ‘A’ captain Mary Zulu said they need to show that the experience gained in the first match against the Brazilians, who are preparing for the WXV Global Challenger Series, will be converted to a positive performance.

“One could see, in some situations, how they outplayed us, but that happens when you have an inexperienced team playing one that was part of the Women’s Rugby World Cup just a year ago,” said Zulu.

“One thing we did not lack in that match was effort, so if we can bring that again as well as applying the knowledge we picked up from that match.

“This tour is a step towards the senior squad but only if it is in the right direction. We are determined to finish strong.”

SA Women’s ‘A’ starting XV: 15 Hayley Hardneck, 14 Thobile Msizazwe, 13 Shaunique Alexander, 12 Lilitha Vakalisa, 11 Isabella Nel; 10 Mary Zulu (capt), 9 Anitha Fazi; 8 Emihle Mayitshe, 7 Avela Gwala, 6 Jada Davids; 5 Abigail Smit, 4 Zethu Gcaza; 3 Anothando Khatshwa, 2 Karabo Lebotsa, 1 Anuschka Ekron. Replacements (from): 16 Luchell Hanekom, 17 Iviwe Jonas, 18 Vanessa Gabadi, 19 Kaylee Daniels, 20 Yonelisa Plaatjies, 21 Yonda Nokwe, 22 Carmelita Malone, 23 Insaaf Levy, 24 Sinothile Bhengu, 25 Courtney Hickson.

Brazil Women v SA Women ‘A’ - Sunday @ Estádio Nicolau Alayon, Sao Paulo (3pm - 8pm SAST)

Livestream: www.youtube.com/@UOLEsporte