Springbok Women name settled squad for WXV Global Series tour of Europe

Bok Women co-coaches Franzel September and Laurian Johannes-Haupt have called up former Junior Springbok Women centre Naima Hlatshwayo to replace the injured Zintle Mpupha, who suffered an ankle injury in last Saturday's Test against the Black Ferns and has been ruled out of the tour.

Hlatshwayo is the only player in the touring squad who was not involved in preparations for the New Zealand Test. The 20-year-old centre made her Test debut at the Rugby Africa Women's Cup in Nairobi earlier this year, scoring tries in two of her three appearances.

She missed the two-Test series against the USA in July through injury but has now returned to the squad as the Springbok Women prepare to launch the new WXV Global Series.

The remainder of the squad brings considerable Test experience, with captain Babalwa Latsha having won 44 caps and one of three players in the group with more than 40 appearances. A further eight players have between 30 and 40 caps.

"We have been building towards this tour for a while now, first with the introduction of new players at the Rugby Africa Women's Cup, then the USA incoming Tests, the tour to Fiji, and last weekend's match against the Black Ferns," said September.

"It was a pity to lose Zintle, but at the same time, this creates a great opportunity for Naima, who was part of our squad in Kenya and was in the USA squad, but unfortunately injured at the time.

"The core of our squad has more than 20 caps, which reflects on our wider plan to build experience towards the next World Cup in 2029, while those with 10 caps or fewer point to our plans to bring in players that have been knocking on the door."

September believes the squad can continue the good form shown this year: "We have won six of our eight Tests played this year, but we now step into the WXV Global Series, where you are playing the best of the best.

"We welcome that challenge too. Every fixture matters and will be delivering meaningful international rugby every year and that is what makes it so exciting to be part of this global spectacle."

The squad will depart from Cape Town on Saturday afternoon. The tour kicks off with a Test against Wales in Cardiff on 18 September, followed by Tests against Italy in Pordenone (26 September) and Spain in Seville (4 October) before the South Africans return home for two matches against Ireland in Cape Town (24 and 31 October).

Springbok Women WXV Global Series squad

Backs: Byrhandre Dolf, Jakkie Cilliers, Alichia Arries, Maceala Samboya, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Naima Hlatshwayo, Patience Mokone, Maria Tshiremba, Ayanda Malinga, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Unam Tose, Anacadia Minnaar.

Forwards: Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Sanelisiwe Charlie, Yonela Ngxingolo, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Babalwa Latsha, Lindelwa Gwala, Anushka Groenewald, Micke Gunter, Danelle Lochner, Vainah Ubisi, Nomsa Mokwai, Catha Jacobs, Sizophila Solontsi, Sinelitha Noxeke, Lerato Makua, Logan Welman, Aseza Hele.