Springbok Women face defining test against formidable Black Ferns at FNB Stadium

Live from JHB:  The Springbok Women will step into one of the biggest moments in their history on Saturday when they confront the formidable Black Ferns at FNB Stadium, with the weight of history and the scale of the occasion adding another dimension to an already demanding Test.

Kick off is at 1.30pm, with the match forming part of a landmark double header that will see the All Blacks face the Springboks later in the afternoon. For the South African women, however, the focus will be entirely on an opponent whose name remains synonymous with excellence in the women’s game.

New Zealand have been a dominant force for decades, while South Africa have spent much of the same period building towards this level of competition.

When the teams first met in 2010 at the Women’s Rugby World Cup in Guildford, England, the gulf was stark. The Black Ferns were already three time world champions and had established themselves as the benchmark in women’s rugby. South Africa, still a developing side, had only been formed six years earlier.

New Zealand won that encounter 55 3, with Carla Hohepa scoring a hat trick.

Fifteen years later, the Springbok Women had closed much of the gap. Their next meeting came in the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup quarterfinal at Sandy Park, where South Africa pushed New Zealand before eventually going down 46 17.

The Springbok Women led 10 10 at half time after tries from captain Babalwa Latsha and Aphiwe Ngwevu, but the Black Ferns produced a devastating start to the second half, scoring three tries in the opening seven minutes to seize control.

Saturday represents the next chapter in that rivalry, but this time the stage is considerably grander.

FNB Stadium will host the first Black Ferns Test on South African soil, giving the Springbok Women an opportunity to measure their progress against one of the most decorated teams in international rugby in front of a major home crowd.

Latsha will again lead South Africa, with six forwards who featured in last year’s quarterfinal returning to the pack. Vainah Ubisi and Catha Jacobs have been promoted from the bench into the starting line up, while Sanelisiwe Charlie and Lindelwa Gwala join Latsha in the front row.

The backline retains much of its familiar shape, with Byrhandré Dolf, Zintle Mpupha, Ngwevu, Ayanda Malinga and Libbie Janse van Rensburg all starting again. Unam Tose replaces the injured Nadine Roos at scrumhalf.

There is also a new chapter beginning in the coaching box. Laurian Johannes Haupt and Franzel September continue as co head coaches following Swys de Bruin’s departure.

Johannes Haupt believes South Africa have developed the depth required to take on the challenge.

“We have managed to build some extra depth since that match earlier this season when we played in the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup and the two series against the USA Eagles Women and Fijiana,” she said.

The Springbok Women are not, however, approaching the match simply as an exercise in containment.

“We have certain characteristics as Springbok Women and that include being very physical in our first phase, so there is no reason to move away from that,” Johannes Haupt said.

That philosophy will be tested immediately against a Black Ferns side that possesses immense experience and a formidable rugby pedigree.

New Zealand have also made significant leadership changes. Georgia Ponsonby will serve as co captain for the first time, while Hannah King starts at first five eighth. Ruahei Demant, another influential leader, moves to the bench while retaining her co captaincy.

Black Ferns head coach Whitney Hansen believes the changes will help strengthen New Zealand’s leadership group.

“Georgia is one of our on field leaders, has a strong understanding of our rugby identity and has the presence to lead as captain,” Hansen said.

For South Africa, this is more than another Test match.

It is a measure of how far the programme has travelled since that painful afternoon in Guildford, when the Black Ferns exposed the enormous distance between the two sides.

The gap was still evident in Exeter last year, but the Springbok Women were competitive for long periods and showed they belonged on the biggest stage.

Now they have the opportunity to make another statement.

FNB Stadium provides the setting. The Black Ferns provide the ultimate examination. And the Springbok Women have the chance to show that the distance between the two nations is continuing to close.

TEAMS

SPRINGBOK WOMEN – 15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Alichia Arries, 13 Zintle Mpupha, 12 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 11 Ayanda Malinga, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Unam Tose, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Catha Jacobs, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Danelle Lochner, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Babalwa Latsha (c), 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie.

Bench: 16 Anushka Groenewald, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Shiniqwa Lamprecht, 21 Logan Welman, 22 Anacadia Minnaar, 23 Maceala Samboya.

BLACK FERNS – 15 Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 14 Mererangi Paul, 13 Amy Du Plessis, 12 Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, 11 Ayesha Leti-I’iga, 10 Hannah King, 9 Maia Joseph, 8 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 7 Elinor-Plum King, 6 Mia Anderson, 5 Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, 4 Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 3 Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, 2 Georgia Ponsonby (c), 1 Chryss Viliko.

Bench: 16 Atlanta Lolohea, 17 Maddison Robinson, 18 Santo Taumata, 19 Laura Bayfield, 20 Amarante Sititi, 21 Tara Turner, 22 Ruahei Demant, 23 Justine McGrego