In addition to Bok Women captain Nolusindiso Booi extending her Test cap record to 41 appearances in green and gold, Xoliswa Khuzwayo (prop) and Anathi Qolo (No. 8) will start in the pack for the first time, while Aliyah Tchogna-Njamen (prop) and Samantha Els (utility forward) have been placed on the bench for this match.
The last Test between the two nations, which was played in Madrid on April 1, 2023, and which South Africa won 35–20, featured 14 players, according to Koen, who assumed leadership of the national squad a year ago during a matching tour to Spain.
Capturing new players is always enjoyable, and this year’s WXV 2 was no exception. Three of them, Xoliswa, Aliyah, and Samantha, narrowly missed the final selection, but Anathi has grown incredibly since we invited her to participate in our alignment camps in December, January, and February, stated Koen.
While Qolo was a bright spot on the all-conquering Bulls Daisies team that maintained a perfect record in the Women’s Premier Division last year, Khuzwayo, Tchogna-Njamen, and Els did play for the Bok Women in a warm-up match against San Clemento Rhinos in Cape Town in September of last year.
Outside backs Aphiwe Ngwevu, who missed the WXV climax due to injury, and Jakkie Cilliers, who will be tasked with goal-kicking, will both be back in action during the Test.
We selected the team based on the output and effort displayed in the two training sessions against Scotland and Wales last week, Koen stated. We have a wonderful combination of experience and young in the match day squad.
Every player who was chosen demonstrated to Laurian Johannes-Haupt and me, as well as my fellow coaches Franzel September and Laurian September, that they deserved to wear that shirt for the Spain Test and they did.
With twenty players who have earned caps either out of season or injured, Koen is eager to add more depth to his team.
As we approach the World Cup qualifying event in Madagascar in May, we are eager to develop confidence and momentum as this is just the beginning of the season,” he stated.
We decided to go on this tour in order to put ourselves to the test against teams that were ranked higher than us in terms of talent and intensity.
It has already paid off because, thanks to last week’s training sessions, we were able to select a side with ease.
Despite South Africa winning the last three meetings between the two teams, Koen is well aware of the capabilities of the hosts, Spain, which is rated 12th in the world, one spot above the Bok Women.
They performed incredibly well in WXV 3, and because they are so close to other European rugby nations, they get to practice and play against them frequently, Koen remarked.
They have meticulous plans for their year and will shortly play Canada in a training camp. They are undoubtedly becoming a better squad, and even though they are ranked higher than us, they will play at home, making them the clear favorites.
