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One change to Springbok Women starting team for Loftus showdown

rugby09 July 2026 12:01
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Springbok Women head coach Swys de Bruin selected Eloise Webb at fullback for Saturday’s second test against the USA Eagles Women at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, in the only change to the starting team that defeated the same opponents at Ellis Park last weekend.

Webb, who played off the bench in the 34-21 victory in Johannesburg, comes in for Byrhandré Dolf, who is unavailable for selection because of player welfare rest protocols.

Her place on the bench will be filled by Maceala Samboya, who earned the last of her seven Test caps against the Black Ferns in their historic Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final in Exeter in September last year.

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Like Webb, Samboya was involved with the Springbok Women’s Sevens in the 2026 season, as was Lerato Makua, who also comes back into the match-23 for the first time in 2026.

The inclusion of Makua, who also played in Exeter, is one of five changes amongst the replacements. Anacadia Minnaar will take over from Felicia Jacobs at scrumhalf, Makua comes in for Faith Tshauke, and Nomsa Mokwai will take over from Anathi Qolo as lock cover, while Nombuyekezo Mdliki, another Exeter participant, takes over from Thandile Mazwi at prop.

De Bruin said the team selection was not influenced by last week’s result at all.

“Dolf needed the rest and Eloise is more than capable playing in the spine, so she will slot in seamlessly,” said De Bruin.

“We wanted to give as many players in our group of 30 a run in this series, hence some changes on the bench. We were looking inward at what we want to achieve on the weekend when we selected the squad.”

The Bok coach is expecting a fierce backlash from the USA, who trailed 34-0 at Ellis Park before scoring three unanswered tries: “They are a very good team and will come at us. We prepared well though and will again be looking for a strong start.”

Springbok Women captain Babalwa Latsha said: “We were happy with a lot of things that went well at Ellis Park, but we cannot fool ourselves thinking that will just flow over to Loftus.

“We will have to be at our very best if we want a repeat performance. The USA is a very good team, they showed that in the way they carved us up in that second half. They have very good players and we have prepared accordingly.”

Latsha said home support would again be a factor.

“Most of our players call Loftus their home, while you still have the altitude factor, but more than anything we would love the crowd and home support to be the difference,” she said.

“We came back from the World Cup telling people that a giant has awakened. For everyone to see and believe that, we need to show up every weekend we play and deliver. That will be our focus this weekend.”

The Test kicks off at 1:30pm and will be broadcast live on SuperSport.

Springbok Women team to face USA in Pretoria:

15 Eloise Webb (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 21 caps, 30 points (6 tries)

14 Jakkie Cilliers (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 25 caps, 153 points (11 tries, 40 conversions, 6 penalty goals)

13 Ayanda Malinga (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 18 caps, 80 points (16 tries)

12 Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies) – 34 caps, 80 points (165 tries)

11 Alichia Arries (DHL Western Province) – 6 caps, 20 points (4 tries)

10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 31 caps, 219 points (14 tries, 55 conversions, 12 penalty goals, 1 drop goal)

9 Unam Tose (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 30 caps, 17 points (3 tries, 1 conversion)

8 Logan Welman (DHL Western Province) – 4 caps, 25 points (5 tries)

7 Catha Jacobs (Golden Lions Women) – 27 caps, 5 Points (1 try)

6 Sizophila Solontsi (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 32 caps, 45 points (9 tries)

5 Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women) – 23 caps, 10 points (2 tries)

4 Vainah Ubisi (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 23 caps, 25 points (5 tries)

3 Babalwa Latsha (captain; DHL Western Province) – 41 caps, 40 points (8 tries)

2 Micke Gunter (Leicester Tigers) – 17 caps, 5 points (1 try)

1 Sanelisiwe Charlie (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 31 caps, 10 points (2 tries)

Replacements:

16 Anushka Groenewald (DHL Western Province) – 7 caps, 0 points

17 Yonela Ngxingolo (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 43 caps, 20 points (4 tries)

18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies) – 12 caps, 5 points (1 try)

19 Nomsa Mokwai (DHL Western Province) – 16 caps, 0 points

20 Lerato Makua (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 19 caps, 20 points (4 tries)

21 Sinelitha Noxeke (Isuzu Bulls Daisies) – 5 caps, 0 points

22 Anacadia Minnaar (EP Queens) – 5 caps, 3 points (1 penalty goal)

23 Maceala Samboya (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 7 caps, 20 points (4 tries)

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