By: Bon Miguela Nhlapo
History will be made this weekend when the Springbok Women face the Black Ferns in their first-ever Test on South African soil. A first-ever landmark clash will take centre stage at FNB Stadium this weekend.
A 32-player squad assembled in Sandton on Sunday to begin preparations for the highly anticipated encounter, which forms part of a Castle Double Malt Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry double header.
The Springbok Women’s Test will precede the third men’s Test between the Springboks and All Blacks on Saturday, creating a unique double-header featuring South Africa’s two national teams against their New Zealand counterparts.
The match also gives the Springbok Women an opportunity to renew their rivalry with the Black Ferns in less than a year after a dramatic meeting in the Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-finals in England last year.
Sixteen players from South Africa’s match-23 from that World Cup clash have been included in the squad, while several experienced players are set to return after missing the recent tour to Fiji.
Names such as Sanelisiwe Charlie, Micke Gunter, Danelle Lochner, Logan Welman, Unam Tose, Jakkie Cilliers and Aphiwe Ngwevu are all back in the squad following rest and recovery protocols.
However, some absences are notable with Nadine Roos, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Eloise Webb and Anathi Qolo being unavailable due to injury. Although Lerato Makua has been selected it is unlikely she will be fit in time for Saturday’s Test.
For captain Babalwa Latsha, the occasion represents both a chance for redemption and a major milestone for the women’s game in South Africa.
It is hard to believe that a year has passed since our quarter-final,” said Latsha. “A lot has happened since, but it still feels fresh in the memory, playing New Zealand in what was such a huge occasion for us.
“Most of us in camp were involved in that match, so everyone is ready to have another go at them.”
Latsha said playing the Black Ferns in South Africa, alongside the Springboks’ clash with the All Blacks, made the occasion all the more significant. Looking at cementing a rivalry with the Black Ferns, she added,
we certainly hope that this could be the start of something similar. We are slowly making our way into the top echelons of the game, which will allow us more matches against the Black Ferns.”
The Springbok Women’s official match squad will be announced on Thursday, with Saturday’s historic Test promising another major chapter in the growing rivalry between South Africa and New Zealand.