Plagued by a mounting injury crisis that has ruled out key playmakers Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Ayanda Malinga, and long-term absentee Nadine Roos, the Springbok Women have summoned Mary Zulu to reinforce a depleted backline as they rely on a stable, battle-hardened forward pack to close out their WXV tour against Spain in Seville.
The Springbok Women’s backline resources have been stretched to breaking point on their European tour, with playmaker Janse van Rensburg and prolific wing Ayanda Malinga sent back to South Africa for medical treatment ahead of Sunday’s WXV Global Series tour finale against Spain in Seville.
The dual injury blow arrives on the heels of a hard-fought 41–29 victory over Italy in Pordenone – a match that revived South Africa’s campaign after an opening-round loss to Wales, but came at a punishing physical cost.
Janse van Rensburg, the team’s all-time leading points scorer, suffered an ankle injury during Saturday’s win, while Malinga failed to recover from a knee ailment sustained against Wales the previous week. Their departures compound an already critical injury list in the back division, which includes long-term absentee and star playmaker Nadine Roos, as well as experienced midfielder Zintle Mpupha, who was ruled out prior to departure.
To make matters worse, starting fullback Byrhandré Dolf – who shifted to flyhalf against the Italians following Janse van Rensburg’s exit – left the field for a head injury assessment (HIA) and is currently completing HIA 3 protocols before a final decision on her availability is made.
Should Dolf fail her protocols, co-coaches Franzel September and Laurian Johannes-Haupt face a full-blown selection dilemma. Losing Dolf would leave the side without any of their primary playmaking anchors in Roos, Janse van Rensburg, and Dolf.
In response to the mounting crisis, SA Rugby has summoned 23-year-old flyhalf Mary Zulu to join the squad in Spain. Zulu, who captained the SA ‘A’ side in Brazil last month, could be thrust straight into the starting 10 jersey despite arriving late in the tour window.
In stark contrast to the rearguard reshuffle, the Bok Women’s forward pack remains a pillar of stability and depth. Loosehead prop Xoliswa Khuzwayo, who made her Test debut against Spain in Valladolid two seasons ago, returns to Spanish soil as part of a formidable front-row rotation alongside Sanelisiwe Charlie and Yonela Ngxingolo.
“Coming back to Spain feels like things have gone full circle,” said Khuzwayo, who now boasts 15 Test caps and a World Cup on her CV. “I am a much more experienced player than last time. There is healthy competition in the squad, but we are all here for the team first. Amongst the top 10 nations we are still the underdogs, but we don’t mind that tag – we know where we are going.”
That forward muscle will be essential on Sunday as South Africa seeks a victory over Spain to secure a positive 2-1 tour record before returning home for a two-Test series against Ireland in Cape Town next month.
