Babalwa Latsha handed Bok Women captaincy as De Bruin names team to face USA

The experienced tighthead prop takes over from the retired Nolusindiso Booi and will lead South Africa for the 16th time as she wins her 41st Test cap.

"Babalwa is a natural leader and one of the best in the world in her position, which made it an easy decision," said head coach Swys de Bruin. "She has a lot of captaincy experience and often stood in for Nolusindiso in the past, and she did very well."

With regards to team selection, De Bruin named a very settled side, with only two players in the starting team - Alichia Arries and Logan Welman - who did not feature at last year's Women's Rugby World Cup.

Arries, who made her Test debut in 2021, excelled at the Rugby Africa Women's Cup and was a stand-out player in the Pick n Pay Women's Super League for DHL Western Province. She was also a regular for the Springbok Women's Sevens in 2024.

Welman, who represented the Junior Springbok Women in 2024, made her senior Test debut in Kenya in May, scoring three tries in as many Tests as the Bok Women successfully defended their continental title, and she looks set for a long career in international rugby.

In a slight tweak to his backline, De Bruin has opted to move Jakkie Cilliers to right wing, with Ayanda Malinga starting at outside centre.

De Bruin also included Thandile Mazwi, who made her Test debut at the Rugby Africa Women's Cup this season, as a replacement prop on the bench, where he again opted for a split of six forwards and two backs.

"That split has worked well for us last year and we have the players to continue with that plan," the SA coach said.

Latsha said her elevation as captain for the season is a massive honour and that she was very proud to be entrusted with the responsibility.

"We had a great leader in Nolusindiso Booi over the last number of years, and I was lucky that I could learn a lot from her," said Latsha.

"It is not about me, however, but rather our team and the goals we have set to continue the good work we have done, especially last year when we qualified for the quarter-finals of the World Cup."

Latsha said they are determined to start well on Saturday: "It is great playing the USA here at home for the first time. They have been a very consistent team over many years, exactly the type of opponent we want to measure ourselves against.

"We believe we are on an upward curve and they will test that. It is going to be a fantastic test match, and we can't wait for the opportunity to play at home."

Saturday's Test kicks off at 13:30.

Springbok Women - 15 Byrhandre Dolf, 14 Jakkie Cilliers, 13 Ayanda Malinga, 12 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 11 Alichia Arries, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Unam Tose, 8 Logan Welman, 7 Catha Jacobs, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Danelle Lochner, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Babalwa Latsha (captain), 2 Micke Gunter, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie.

Replacements: 16 Anushka Groenewald, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Thandile Mazwi, 19 Anathi Qolo, 20 Sinelitha Noxeke, 21 Faith Tshauke, 22 Felicia Jacobs, 23 Eloise Webb.

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