Springbok Women v Ireland: two Tests to gauge South Africa's progress
Reshuffled front row, Solontsi as captain and Ngxingolo one appearance away from 50 caps: the Springbok Women host Ireland on 24 October in Cape Town.
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Fresh from their wins over Italy and Spain, the Springbok Women return home with a reshuffled front row. South Africa host Ireland on Saturday 24 October at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, before a second match at the same venue on the 31st. The series should show how far the South Africans have progressed against the same opponent, and how well they adapt from one Test to the next.
Front row rebuilt around Khuzwayo
Babalwa Latsha's absence with an ankle injury forces the selectors to change the balance of the scrum. Xoliswa Khuzwayo moves from loosehead prop, where she played against Spain, to tighthead. Sanelisiwe Charlie returns at No 1 after being rested in Seville. Anushka Groenewald keeps her place at hooker.
Sizophila Solontsi takes over the captaincy, with Unam Tose as vice-captain. The pair had already shared the role in the win over Italy. Nombuyekezo Mdliki, who suffered a rib injury against Spain, also misses the series. Thandile Mazwi is on the bench to bolster the front row.
Behind the scrum, Maria Tshiremba replaces Patience Mokone on the left wing. The half-back pairing remains Unam Tose and Byrhandré Dolf. The challenge is to keep the cohesion built up on the European tour while absorbing the changes forced up front.
Ngxingolo one appearance away from her fiftieth cap
Yonela Ngxingolo will start on the bench with 49 caps. If she comes on, she will become the second South African woman to reach the milestone of 50 Tests, after Nolusindiso Booi. The occasion therefore means more than the result for the prop, although her fiftieth appearance cannot be taken for granted until she takes the field.
The replacements also offer room for adjustment: Aphiwe Ngwevu can play in the centres or in the back row. That gives the South Africans a player able to cover two different areas as the match unfolds.
Ireland, another test of consistency
Scott Bemand has confirmed Erin King as Ireland captain. Emily Lane and Dannah O'Brien will form the half-back pairing, while Béibhinn Parsons starts on the wing. Hooker Neve Jones, a starter with 49 caps, is also in line to reach 50 Tests.
For the Springbok Women, the value of the two matches lies in building on the good spells from the tour without waiting for the second game to put their mistakes right. A compact series leaves little time between diagnosis and response on the pitch.
Two Saturdays at Athlone Stadium
The first Test is set for Saturday 24 October at 15:00 in Cape Town, 14:00 in Brazzaville. The second will also be played at Athlone Stadium, on 31 October.