Nine players with international experience have been included in the Springbok Women’s match 22 for their tour opener against the UK Armed Forces in Richmond on Friday.

Captain Nolusindiso Booi, Thantaswa Macingwane, Fundiswa Plaatjie, Nosiphiwo Goda and Charmaine Kayser have represented the Springbok Women’s team before, while Babalwa Latsha, Zintle Mpupha, Zinhle Ndawonde and Kirsten Conrad have played for the Springbok Women’s Sevens team.

Plaatjie and Mpupha will form the halfback pairing, while Macingwane will partner up with Latsha and Annique Geswind in the front row. Ndawonde and Aphiwe Ngwevu will join forces in the midfield, with Goda, Alana-Lee Horn and Vuyolwethu Maqholo completing a talented backline.

‘The team features a healthy mix of youth and experience,’ said coach Stanley Raubenheimer. ‘I believe this is the strongest combination for this specific game, so I am happy with the side.’

The Springbok Women will play Tests against Wales at Cardiff Arms Park on 10 November, Spain in Villajoyosa on 17 November, and Italy in Prato on 25 November.

Springbok Women – 15 Vuyolwethu Maqholo, 14 Nosiphiwo Goda, 13 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 12 Zinhle Ndawonde, 11 Alana-Lee Horne, 10 Zintle Mpupha, 9 Fundiswa Plaatjie, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 6 Lusanda Dumke, 5 Nolusindiso Booi (c), 4 Bernice Strydom, 3 Babalwa Latsha, 2 Annique Geswind, 1 Thantaswa Macingwane.
Subs: 16 – Lindelwa Gwala, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Nthabiseng Marutla, 19 Charmaine Kayser, 20 Felicia Jacobs, 21 Kirsten Conrad, 22 Demi Nel.

Photo: @WomenBoks/Twitter