Nelson Mandela University student Chuma Isaac will lead the Junior Springbok Women into battle on Friday when they take on the USA Eagles Women U20S in Stellenbosch in the first of two matches.
The second encounter will be played next Friday, 24 July, also at Paul Roos Gymnasium’s Markötter Stadium.
Isaac, who also represented the SA Under-18 Girls last year when they played their Netherlands counterparts in two encounters at the same venue, will lead a match-23 with two capped Springbok Women, a Springbok Women's Sevens player and a handful of players who played senior rugby for their provinces in the Pick n Pay Women's Super League 1 this season.
SA U20 head coach Hayden Groepes and his management have selected a match-day squad that has much to offer.
“We had three good weeks of preparation, going into our fourth week, so we are ready and excited about this match against the USA,” said Groepes.
“The focus was to get everyone aligned with the processes of the team, but to also holistically grow the individual. This Friday will show whether that worked and what our DNA is.”
Locks Abigail Smit and Zethu Gcaza will no doubt be driving the engine room and use their senior international experience from playing for the Springbok Women in the Rugby Africa Women's Cup to gain the advantage against their American opponents, with Isaac and fellow loose forwards, Yonelisa Plaatjie and Kaylee Daniels, expected to be the link of that momentum to a very lively backline.
Both wings, Siphumelele Mdlalose and Tereske Kabuika, know their way to the try line as they have scored some impressive tries in senior rugby this season, while flyhalf Julene Haas will revel in front-foot ball to showcase her playmaking abilities.
Free State flyer Owami Mohuli will no doubt have an impact when she comes off the bench, having faced all the big names in the HSBC SVNS World Championship events in Hong Kong, Valladolid and Bordeaux over the last couple of months.
The performances of hooker Jada Davids and flanker Palesa Matee will also be followed with interest by the crowd, as both was named in a wider Springbok Women training squad for the remainder of the season.
Groepes was happy with the balance of the squad: “Our team is well-balanced with a number of players with good experience, starting with capped players as well as those who played in the Under-18 series last year.
“That series helped our players develop immensely, such as our captain, Chuma Isaac and Palese Matee. Then you have someone like Julene Haas who played senior rugby already, so we have a good mix in the squad.”
Groepes believes the hard work will pay off and that they are hoping for a solid all-round performance from the team.
“We obviously want to do the jersey and the badge justice as there comes a massive responsibility when you wear you green and gold,” he said. “We expect the USA to be athletic and physical, but we are committed to deliver from start to finish and make the jersey proud.”
One familiar name in the USA team is that of Bella Vogel, who played at centre last Saturday in the Test at Loftus Versfeld, where she kicked three conversions for the USA Women’s Eagles in their 26-19 victory over the Springbok Women, and she will no doubt test the South African midfield.
The encounter kicks off at 15:00 SAST and will be streamed live on the SA Rugby YouTube channel.
Junior Springbok Women's team to play USA in Stellenbosch
15 Anita Fazi (DHL Western Province)
14 Siphumelele Mdlalose (Golden Lions)
13 Shanice Scholtz (EP Queens)
12 Ronecia Gordon (DHL Western Province)
11 Tereske Kabuika (Sanlam Boland Dames)
10 Julene Haas (EP Queens)
9 Erin Prins (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
8 Yonelisa Plaatjie (DHL Western Province)
7 Kaylee Daniels (DHL Western Province)
6 Chuma Isaac (captain, EP Queens)
5 Abigail Smit (DHL Western Province)
4 Zethu Gcaza (Border Ladies)
3 Ntokozo Gumede (Isuzu Bulls Daisies)
2 Jada Davids (DHL Western Province)
1 Sesethu Dumke (DHL Western Province)
Replacements:
16 Chris Ross (Golden Lions)
17 Iviwe Jonas (DHL Western Province)
18 Anothando Katshwa (DHL Western Province)
19 Nonkosi Ngema (Griquas)
20 Palesa Matee (DHL Western Province)
21 Kaylin Heuvel (DHL Western Province)
22 Danica Pypers (DHL Western Province)
23 Owami Mohuli (Free State)