Babalwa Latsha back as Bok Women hand speedster Maria Tshiremba first Test start

Latsha missed last weekend's 55-12 win over their hosts in Suva, but is back in the starting team, which shows four changes to the backline and two to the forwards for the second Test at Churchill Park on this historic tour.

The South African captain will start at tighthead prop in place of Nombuyekezo Mdliki, who reverts to the bench, while flanker Catha Jacobs replaces Lerato Makua, who picked up a knee injury in Suva.

Amongst the backs, a new centre combination in Zintle Mpupha and Maceala Samboya opened starting opportunities for both Tshiremba and Alichia Arries, who swaps places with Patience Mokone, with the latter named on the bench this weekend.

Mpupha moves from outside to inside centre and Samboya from wing to outside centre, while Shiniqwa Lamprecht will play off the bench for what could be a hybrid option to the coaching staff. The starting XV includes Maria Tshiremba, who will make her Test debut for South Africa.

Bok Women assistant coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt said the selections and changes were done with building depth in mind, as well as expanding options within the team, which is why they decided on the new midfield combination and giving Tshiremba a first start.

The speedster, who has scored 64 tries in the 20 tournaments she has played for the Springbok Women's Sevens, will become the 195th capped player in Springbok Women history.

"We can't wait to see her go, with her great speed and how we hope to execute on the weekend, Maria will have an important role to play," said Johannes-Haupt, who added that they have the option to use Lamprecht amongst the loose forwards as a replacement without elaborating too much on their tactics with the bench players.

"Shiniqwa gives us that option of going with a split of six forwards and two backs on the bench, but obviously she can also play in the centres, where she did very well last weekend on debut. We will see how the match develops and what we need to do, if anything, when we activate our bench."

Johannes-Haupt added that the return of Latsha is a plus and will add to their objectives of dominating the forward battles: "We saw what worked for us last weekend, but we also want to try new things, and Babalwa's experience and calmness will make that possible. It is great to have her back, while we must also acknowledge the leadership group and how they back the coaches and their plans."

Springbok Women - 15 Byrhandre Dolf, 14 Alichia Arries, 13 Maceala Samboya, 12 Zintle Mpupha, 11 Maria Tshiremba, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg (c), 9 Anacadia Minnaar, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Catha Jacobs, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Nomsa Mokwai, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Babalwa Latsha, 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 1 Xoliswa Khuzwayo.

Replacements: 16 Anushka Groenewald, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Sinelitha Noxeke, 20 Nobuhle Mjwara, 21 Shiniqwa Lamprecht, 22 Felicia Jacobs, 23 Patience Mokone.

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