The Springbok Women face Spain in the WXV Global Series at Estadio Olímpico de la Cartuja in Seville on Sunday, with captain Babalwa Latsha intent on closing out the European leg of the tour on a winning note before two home Tests against Ireland in Cape Town.
Latsha, who played for Spanish club Eibar earlier in her career, acknowledged the personal significance of the fixture while keeping focus on the team's objectives. Despite six consecutive wins over Spain, she was clear that no complacency would creep in. "We have played Spain several times and tomorrow will present a different challenge," she said after the captain's run.
The selection of wing Patience Mokone as a first-time starter on tour is one of the notable features of the matchday team. Mokone came off the bench against Wales in the tour opener and was omitted from the 23 against Italy last week. Sunday will be her seventh Test in fifteens. A prolific finisher in the Sevens system — 15 tries in nine tournaments for the Springbok Women's Sevens — Mokone was in Spain as recently as five months ago for the HSBC SVNS World Championship leg in Valladolid. She returns now in a different format and against opposition she has faced in sevens but not yet in fifteens.
Among the individual milestones in play, hooker Lindelwa Gwala has crossed in each of the last four Tests against Spain and holds the record for most Test appearances as a hooker for the Springbok Women. Prop Yonela Ngxingolo, on 48 caps, is the second most capped player in the team's history.