For the first time ever ,the Black Ferns known as the most dominant team in women’s rugby will play on South African soil.This is defined as being billed as the biggest test in the teams history.The massive showdown at FNB stadium is not a warm -up,it is the main event that will allow the springbok women to fight for recognition.
The Springbok Women do not arrive as underdogs hoping to learn.They arrive on a three-match winning streak,after beating the USA at Ellis Park and then beating Fiji twice 55-12 and 29-22 , with Maria Tshiremba scoring a hat-trick in the last test as a new comer. They have learned how to win away from home.The fixture comes at the end of a deliberate six-month preparation block designed to build depth.
Since the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup earlier this season, head coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September, who have continued as co-head coaches after Swys de Bruin stepped down, have taken the group through three international windows: a home series against the USA Eagles Women, and a two-Test tour of Fiji where South Africa won 55-12 in Suva and 29-22 in Lautoka to claim the inaugural Ubuntu-Bula Trophy.
Johannes-Haupt said “We have managed to build some extra depth since that match earlier this season when we played in the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup and the two series against the USA Eagles Women and Fijiana.“We believe this is the right squad for this game,and we go to FNB Stadium with a very specific game plan in mind.”
That game plan will not change for New Zealand.The Springboks have identified their physical first phase as their identity. “We have certain characteristics as Springbok Women and that include being very physical in our first phase, so there is no reason to move away from that.We are aware of what the Black Ferns will bring,but selected this group because we want to play a certain way,not in reaction to who might be in their team,” Johannes-Haupt added.
From a 32-player training squad named this week,the final 23 retains six forwards who started in last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final in England, a match famously locked at 10-10 at halftime before the Black Ferns pulled away to win 46-17.Captain Babalwa Latsha (43 caps) anchors a pack with Sanelisiwe Charlie, Lindelwa Gwala,Vainah Ubisi,Danelle Lochner,Sizophila Solontsi,Catha Jacobs and Aseza Hele( 34 caps).
In the backs,five starters return from that quarter-final Byrhandré Dolf at fullback,Zintle Mpupha and Aphiwe Ngwevu in midfield, Ayanda Malinga on the left wing,and Libbie Janse van Rensburg (221 points in 34 caps) at flyhalf.The two changes are telling of the new depth: Unam Tose starts at scrumhalf for the injured Nadine Roos, and Alichia Arries gets her first start against New Zealand on the right wing after scoring twice on the Fiji tour. New comer hat-trick hero Maria Tshiremba, who scored three tries on debut in the 29-22 win in Lautoka,remains in the wider squad as a finishing option.
On the bench,Yonela Ngxingolo (46 caps),who’s aiming to close the gap to 50 Caps,allowing the coaches to maintain set-piece pressure for 80 minutes.
For Johannes-Haupt,who played against the Black Ferns in the 2010 World Cup herself,the occasion matters but will not distract.“This is a big moment for us as a team,but we will make sure the focus remains between the four lines,where the Black Ferns will no doubt come with a massive onslaught,”she said.
Kick-off is 13:30 SAST.The Black Ferns arrive with a near-full strength squad led by Georgia Ponsonby,but South Africa arrives with something they have never had before against New Zealand,recent winning momentum,home advantage,and a game plan they have been building since January.
Game details:
Date:5 September 2026
Venue:FNB Stadium
Time:13:30 (SAST)
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