Patience Mokone returns to the Springbok Women's starting line-up for Sunday's WXV Global Series match against Spain in Seville, her first start of the European tour. The wing, who came off the bench against Wales but was left out of the matchday 23 against Italy, lines up for her seventh Test cap.
Mokone, who switched back to fifteens during the Bok Women's tour of Fiji, is familiar with Spanish surroundings having played in Valladolid five months ago during the HSBC SVNS World Championship. She has not yet faced Spain in the fifteens format.
"It is great to be on the field as one can contribute directly, and I hope to deliver my bit tomorrow," Mokone said. "I played against Spain in sevens, but not yet in fifteens, so I am looking forward to that challenge."
Captain Babalwa Latsha has framed the match as an opportunity to build momentum ahead of two home Tests against Ireland in Cape Town that will close out the Bok Women's season. Despite the team's unbeaten record in their last six meetings with Spain, Latsha was measured in her assessment of the task.
"We always respect our opponents, we respect the game and we respect the WXV competition," she said. "We have played Spain several times and tomorrow will present a different challenge."
The match carries an added personal dimension for Latsha, who launched her professional club career with Spanish side Eibar.