Babalwa Latsha returns as captain as Bok Women make changes for Spain Test

By SABC Sport
2nd October 2026

Babalwa Latsha returns as captain and tighthead prop for the Springbok Women’s Test against Spain in Seville on Sunday.

Xoliswa Khuzwayo and Patience Mokone also come into the starting XV for the final match of the team'™s 2026 WXV Global Series tour of Europe.

Springbok Women co-coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September have largely kept faith with the side that beat Italy last weekend, while making several changes to the bench.

Latsha swaps places with Nombuyekezo Mdliki, who moves to the replacements. Lindelwa Gwala and Danelle Lochner also return to the bench after missing the Italy match.

Gwala takes over the finishing role from Micke Gunter at hooker, while Lochner replaces Nomsa Mokwai, who was among the replacements against both Wales and Italy.

Yonela Ngxingolo, who started against Italy, will earn her 49th Test cap from the bench, while Sanelisiwe Charlie is not involved this weekend.

Mary Zulu, who joined the squad on Monday as a replacement for the injured Libbie Janse van Rensburg, provides cover at flyhalf and fullback.

"With this being the final leg of our tour, it was another opportunity for us to freshen up out match day squad before we head into the last two matches against Ireland in Cape Town," said Johannes-Haupt.

"We were lucky to have played several matches this season already and that helped us to build depth. For this match, we wanted to give some players the chance to get a run and show us what they can do.

Johannes-Haupt said the change on the wing was to give Mokone another run: "Both Patience and Maria excelled for our sevens team, they have a lot of speed, a good work rate and know exactly where they are on the field. So, for this week, Patience is getting a run, but how we want to play will not be different, as they are like for like."

Springbok Women - 15 Jakkie Cilliers, 14 Alichia Arries, 13 Maceala Samboya, 12 Shiniqwa Lamprecht, 11 Patience Mokone, 10 Byrhandre Dolf, 9 Unam Tose, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Lerato Makua, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Catha Jacobs, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Babalwa Latsha (captain), 2 Anushka Groenewald, 1 Xoliswa Khuzwayo.

Replacements: 16 Lindelwa Gwala, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Danelle Lochner, 20 Logan Welman, 21 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 22 Felicia Jacobs, 23 Mary Zulu.