The Springbok Women will be hoping to end the year on a high when they face Ireland in the second Test at Athlone Stadium on Saturday.

Image: @WomenBoks on X

Co-head coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September have reshuffled the Springbok Women's starting lineup and backline dynamic ahead of Saturday’s decisive, season-ending clash against Ireland at Athlone Stadium.

An enforced front-row change and a strategic backline reorganisation headline the matchday 23, as South Africa aim to overturn last weekend’s 40–27 defeat and cap a breakthrough 2026 international campaign by climbing to a historic eighth in the World Rugby rankings.

The squad suffered a major blow in midweek when experienced loosehead prop Sanelisiwe Charlie sustained a serious knee injury during training, ruling her out of the contest. Yonela Ngxingolo, who earned her 50th Test cap off the bench last Saturday, steps into the starting No 1 jersey. Local front-rower Anuschka Ekron earns a recall to provide loosehead cover from the bench alongside backup scrumhalf Insaaf Levy.

The #BokWomen have lost another prop to injury and will face Ireland with a re-jigged team in Saturday's second #WXV Test in Cape Town - more here: https://t.co/77LkqAHmfT #BackHer https://t.co/ZW4bxYSgPU

— SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) October 29, 2026

Further forward adjustments see a rotation at hooker, with Lindelwa Gwala starting and Anushka Groenewald shifting to the bench. In the second row, Danelle Lochner starts alongside Vainah Ubisi, freeing Catha Jacobs to shift to blindside flank in place of Lerato Makua, who moves to the replacements. Nomsa Mokwai also returns to the 23 as loose-forward cover.

The backline features significant positional shifts designed to sharpen tactical execution and counter Ireland's territorial kicking game. Mary Zulu, who delivered the pin-point cross-kick for Alichia Arries’ late try last weekend, is promoted to start at flyhalf. Byrhandré Dolf moves back to fullback, prompting Jakkie Cilliers to shift to the right wing and Arries across to the left wing. Maria Tshiremba adds explosive backline cover among the substitutes.

Johannes-Haupt emphasised that while Charlie's injury was unfortunate, the broader adjustments reflect deliberate tactical rotation rather than a structural overhaul.

“Apart from Sanelisiwe, who unfortunately injured her knee this week, no other changes were forced on us, and we could continue with our planned rotation for our final Test of the year,” Johannes-Haupt said. “We believe the changes will provide a better outcome against Ireland.”

She noted that the return of Ekron and Levy rewards consistency shown since the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Kenya earlier this season.

With a victory set to elevate South Africa (71.29 ranking points) above Italy (71.99) into eighth globally, Johannes-Haupt made the squad's intentions clear.

“We are not going to Athlone to lose on Saturday,” Johannes-Haupt said. “This is the perfect venue and occasion to finish off a good season for our squad. What better way to front a challenge from one of the top five ranked teams in the world with a performance that will do justice to our year and reward one of the most passionate crowds in the women’s game.”

Saturday’s kickoff is scheduled for 3pm at Athlone Stadium.

Springbok Women's team to face Ireland
15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Jakkie Cilliers, 13 Maceala Samboya, 12 Shiniqwa Lamprecht, 11 Alichia Arries, 10 Mary Zulu, 9 Unam Tose, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Catha Jacobs, 6 Sizophila Solontsi (capt), 5 Danelle Lochner, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Xoliswa Khuzwayo, 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 1 Yonela Ngxingolo.
Replacements: 16 Anushka Groenewald, 17 Anuschka Ekron, 18 Thandile Mazwi, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 21 Lerato Makua, 22 Insaaf Levy, 23 Maria Tshiremba.