An agonising ankle injury to veteran centre Zintle Mpupha has forced a key backline reshuffle for the Springbok Women, but co-coach Franzel September sees the misfortune as a vital catalyst in South Africa’s broader 2029 Rugby World Cup blueprint.
Mpupha sustained the blow during last weekend’s physical clash against the Black Ferns, ruling her out of the team’s upcoming three-match European tour that will form part of the new WXV Global Series. In her place, coaches September and Laurian Johannes-Haupt have called up 20-year-old Bulls Daisies sensation Naima Hlatshwayo, an explosive talent who announced herself on the international stage during the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup earlier this year with two tries in three Tests.
“It was a pity to lose Zintle, but at the same time, this creates a great opportunity for Naima,” September said. “Naima was always part of our plans with the bigger picture. She picked up an injury after Kenya, went into rehab, and it’s great to bank on players who have already delivered for us.”
The tour kicks off with a Test against Wales in Cardiff on September 18, followed by Tests against Italy in Pordenone on 26 September and Spain in Seville on October 4 before the South Africans return home for two matches against Ireland in Cape Town on October 24 and 31.
For September, the WXV series represents the ideal forge to sharpen the squad against northern hemisphere opposition while keeping long-term goals in sight.
“If you win, you get great momentum, so the first priority is to go out there, express ourselves, and win,” September noted. “However, this is also part of our 2029 World Cup campaign – getting players game time and building cap depth. We felt we needed to play stronger opposition, and now we’re getting it.”
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,” he said.
Springbok Women’s WXV Global Series squad:
Backs (13) – Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Byrhandré Dolf, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Unam Tose, Jakkie Cilliers, Ayanda Malinga, Maceala Samboya, Alichia Arries, Naima Hlatshwayo, Patience Mokone, Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Anacadia Minnaar, Maria Tshiremba.
Forwards (17) – Babalwa Latsha (C), Yonela Ngxingolo, Lindelwa Gwala, Sizophila Solontsi, Aseza Hele, Sanelisiwe Charlie, Catha Jacobs, Vainah Ubisi, Danelle Lochner, Lerato Makua, Nomsa Mokwai, Micke Gunter, Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Anushka Groenewald, Sinelitha Noxeke, Logan Welman.
