Junior Springbok Women head coach Hayden Groepes has made several changes to his team to take on the USA Women’s Eagles U20S in Stellenbosch on Friday, in the second and last of their two-match series.
The USA won the first match last Friday by 47-12 after a very commanding first half, and Groepes has decided to make several tweaks to his starting team, which will again be captained by Chuma Isaac.
Some injuries and giving exposure to the wider training squad also influenced selection. Groepes made six changes to his backline, with right wing Siphumelele Mdlalose the only player to wear the same match jersey again.
Julene Haas, who started at flyhalf, has been moved to fullback, while Hayley Hardneck, who played off the bench last weekend, will start in the No 10 jersey. Erin Prins, another late casualty last week, comes in at scrumhalf.
There were a couple of late withdrawals before the match last week, which forced changes, and the original centre combination for that match, Ronecia Gordon and Yamkela Funani, will start in the midfield.
Springbok Women's Sevens representative Owami Mohuli, who was a late replacement at inside centre last weekend, will start on the bench this time.
Keira Snyman will make a first appearance on the left wing. The 18-year-old, who was raised in Denver, Colorado, recently joined the junior programme and her involvement is part of SA Rugby’s drive to identify and expose overseas-based players who are eligible to play for South Africa to the local women’s rugby structures.
Amongst the forwards, capped internationals Abigail Smit and Zethu Gcaza combine again in the engine room, with a new-look back row named. Yanelisa Plaatjie will move from the back of the scrum to flanker in place of Kaylee Daniels, while Palesa Matee starts at No 8 after playing off the bench last week.
Both props for Friday’s second clash came off the bench last week. Iviwe Jonas (for Sesethu Dumke) and Anothando Khatswa (for Ntokzo Xholi) earn starts this time around.
Limpopo star Vanessa Gabadi has been named as replacement hooker, while Sol Plaatjie University in Kimberley will be rooting for lock Nonkosi Ngema when the Griquas player gets a run off the bench as well.
Groepes said changes were part of their plans: “From day one, we made a commitment that every player in this squad would receive an opportunity, and we've stayed true to that.
“At the same time, we've selected a team that we believe is best equipped to deliver the performance and result we want on Friday. It's about rewarding the work that's been done while continuing to build the depth and performance behaviours in this group.”
Of the match, Groepes said it is important to focus on their own objectives, rather than what is expected from the USA.
“Our focus hasn't been on dwelling on the result from last week; it's been on improving our process,” he said.
“The players have responded exceptionally well; they've been honest, they've worked hard, and they've attacked the week with real intent. Now our attention is fully on producing an 80-minute performance against the USA.”
Groepes would like to see the team respond well to this week’s challenge, and they realise the USA will come even harder this time around: “Our identity doesn't change. Whoever wears the jersey understands how we want to play. Our focus is on executing our game with confidence, staying calm under pressure, and making good decisions consistently.
“Test matches are full of momentum swings, and the team that handles those moments best usually comes out on top. Credit where it's due – they were clinical when opportunities presented themselves.
“For us, it's about controlling what we can control. We need to apply pressure for longer periods, deny them time and space, and be far more accurate in the moments that matter. If we do that consistently, we give ourselves every chance of getting the outcome we're after,” Groepes concluded.
The encounter kicks off at 15:h00 SAST and will be streamed live on the SA Rugby YouTube channel.
Junior Springbok Women team to play USA in Stellenbosch
15 Julene Haas
14 Siphumelele Mdlalose
13 Ronecia Gordon
12 Yamkela Funani
11 Keira Snyman
10 Hayley Hardneck
9 Erin Prins
8 Palesa Matee
7 Yaneliswa Plaatjie
6 Chuma Isaac (captain)
5 Abigail Smit
4 Zethu Gcaza
3 Anothando Khatswa
2 Jada Davids
1 Iviwe Jonas
Replacements:
16 Vanessa Gabadi
17 Karabo Rabekane
18 Alutha Ngcezula
19 Buhle Mxoli
20 Nonkosi Ngema
21 Kaylin Heuvel
22 Asanda Mnyandu
23 Owami Mohuli