Lusanda Dumke will lead the Springbok Women into battle on Saturday when they take on Australia at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town in the second round of WXV 2. TEAM TO TAKE ON WALLAROOS REVEALED Dumke, playing in her 32nd Test, will be wearing the captain’s armband for the third time in her career, having led Springbok Women twice against Kenya in 2021. She takes over the role from Nolusindiso Booi, who will play off the bench, from where she will be extending her national record to 48 Test caps.
Dumke’s elevation into the Springbok Women’s starting XV is amongst a number of changes made by Swys de Bruin and the coaching staff for this match, following their 31-24 win over Japan last weekend. Dumke takes over from Sizophila Solontsi at flanker, while Danelle Lochner swops jerseys with Booi in the other change to the starting pack. In the backs, Unam Tose will make a first start at scrumhalf this year, while Zintle Mpupha comes in for Eloise Webb in the midfield, where she will combine with Chumisa Qawe, the vice-captain for Saturday.
Webb moves to fullback in place of Libbie Janse van Rensburg, who picked up a leg injury in training this week and was ruled out of the match. De Bruin again opted for a split of six forwards and two backs on the bench, from where scrumhalf Felicia Jacobs and utility back Byrhandré Dolf are in line to make their first WXV appearances this year, while Solontsi will join the finishers this time around. SPRINGBOK WOMEN MUST KEEP EYE ON THE PRI.