Yonela Ngxingolo will earn her 44th Test cap off the bench when the Springbok Women host the USA Eagles at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday, extending her own record as the most capped prop in the team's history.
The 28-year-old East London-born loosehead, now based in Pretoria with the Isuzu Bulls Daisies, sits second on the all-time Springbok Women caps list behind Nolusindiso Booi (55), with Babalwa Latsha and Sinazo Mcatshulwa next on 42 each.
Ngxingolo, who debuted in 2018, has long since embraced her role in what she calls the "Blom Squad". "I quickly learned to put personal ambitions aside and put the team first," she said. "For now, I love that I can bring energy and intensity to the team when I am called upon."
Saturday's match is a second consecutive home Test against the USA following last weekend's victory at Ellis Park, and Ngxingolo expects a sharp response from the Americans. "They will be hurting after we shocked them last weekend. Coach Swys has some tricks up his sleeve again — we will approach the match the same as last week, but there will be changes in some of our plans."
With several Daisies in the squad, Ngxingolo is also looking forward to the Loftus setting. "We have seen good support when we play in the provincial competition, and I have every reason to believe there will be a good crowd on Saturday."
Babalwa Latsha captains the starting XV, which is heavily Bulls-influenced in the backline, with Libbie Janse van Rensburg (219 Test points) at flyhalf, Unam Tose at scrumhalf, and Jakkie Cilliers, Ayanda Malinga and Sizophila Solontsi also starting. Logan Welman, just four caps in, starts at No 8.