Rugby
Springbok women team announced for final test match on tour─── ILSE SMALBERGER 09:45 Sat, 03 Oct 2026
The Springbok Women have announced their starting team for the final match of the 2026 WXV Global Series tour to Europe, which will they will play on Sunday (4/10) against Spain in Seville.
Babalwa Latsha is back as captain and tighthead prop while Xoliswa Khuzwayo (prop) and Patience Mokone (wing) have also been included in the starting team. Latsha swops places with Nombuyekezo Mdliki, who will play off the bench, while Lindelwa Gwala and Danelle Lochner boost the bomb squad after missing out against Italy last week.
Patience Mokone. Photo: X/SA Women’s Rugby
Gwala takes over the finishing role from Micke Gunter at hooker, while Lochner takes over from Nomsa Mokwai, who was one of the replacements against Wales and Italy. Yonela Ngxingolo, who started against Italy, will earn her 49th Test cap off the bench, with Sanelisiwe Charlie not involved this weekend.
“With this being the final leg of our tour, it was another opportunity for us to freshen up our match day squad before we head into the last two matches against Ireland in Cape Town,” said Springbok Women’s Forwards Coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt.
Good work rate
“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.”
The Springbok Women’s Team playing Spain in Seville on Sunday. Photo: X/KickOffRugby
Johannes-Haupth also feels last week’s 41-29 victory against Italy will give the team momentum, while the Spanish will present the Bok Women with a different challenge on Sunday.
“We still need to win the battle upfront, and we hope to give the backs the opportunity to play as well. What we have seen from the Spanish team is that they are also improving all the time, with a fast game that often involves their backs.”
The Test against Spain on Sunday kicks off at 12:00.
