After a 22-40 defeat in the first Test, the Springbok Women make several forced and tactical changes for Saturday's WXV Global Series rematch against Ireland in Cape Town. The most significant disruption is the loss of prop Sanelisiwe Charlie to a serious knee injury sustained in training, with Yonela Ngxingolo — fresh off her 50th cap off the bench last week — slotting into the starting front row. Lindelwa Gwala moves into the starting hooker role, while there's a notable backline reshuffle with Mary Zulu promoted to flyhalf and Byrhandré Dolf shifting to fullback. Co-head coach Franzel September acknowledged Ireland's streetwise edge in the first Test but says the squad has taken ownership of the performance issues and addressed them. Ireland make minimal changes — Niamh Gallagher and Aoibheann Reilly come into the backline — confident in a pack and game plan that dominated last weekend. Rugby365 tips Ireland to win again, by five points.
Springbok Women ring the changes for Ireland rematch at Athlone
The Springbok Women make a raft of changes — some forced, some tactical — for the WXV Global Series second Test against Ireland on Saturday, with Rugby365 tipping another Irish win by five points.
Lamprecht warns Ireland: 'It will not happen again'
Shiniqwa Lamprecht says the Springbok Women have pinpointed the defensive lapses that cost them in the first Test against Ireland and will not repeat them on Saturday, with a win enough to lift South Africa from ninth to eighth in the world rankings.
Ireland's camp issues 2029 World Cup warning over Bok Women's rise
Ireland's coaching staff and captain issued a genuine 2029 World Cup warning about the Bok Women after a closer-than-it-looks 40-22 series-opener win, with both sides now heading into the second Test with plenty to prove.
Ngxingolo set to become second Springbok Women's player to reach 50 Test caps
Yonela Ngxingolo will become only the second Springbok Women's player to reach 50 Test caps when South Africa face Ireland at Athlone Stadium on Saturday, with the Bulls Daisies prop named on the bench for the historic occasion.
Springbok Women host Ireland in historic Cape Town double-header
South Africa host Ireland in Cape Town on Saturday in the first of two WXV Tests — a fixture 20 years in the making, with Rugby365 backing the Springbok Women to win by 10 points.
Bok Women face unfamiliar foe in Ireland — but Jacobs backs small-battle approach to break new ground
Catha Jacobs breaks down why Ireland — the only top-10 side this Bok Women's squad has never faced — are a genuine challenge, and explains the set-piece focus and 'small battles' mindset they're taking into Saturday's WXV clash at Athlone Stadium.