/ 21 June 2012

Springbok Women return to action against visiting Nomads

Phumeza Gadu during the Women Springboks 7s media briefing and training session from Florida Park
Phumeza Gadu during the Women Springboks 7s media briefing and training session from Florida Park

Both matches will take place at Goodwood Rugby Club, with the second game in the series scheduled for June 30.

The star-studded Nomads will also play a midweek match against Western Province at Langa Stadium on Tuesday.

During their last tour of South Africa in 2008, the tourists, whose 2012 squad are drawn from New Zealand, Wales, England, Ireland, Scotland and Sweden, beat the Springbok Women 40-34 and 29-0 in a similar two-match series.

Springbok Women’s coach Denver Wannies has called up uncapped University of Stellenbosh (Maties) flanker Celeste Adonis to start in the number-six jersey, while a further four uncapped players – Katlego Moremi, Mathrin Simmers, Thantaswa Macingwana and Theresa Theron – were named on the bench.

“We haven’t played a home game since 2008 so this is an exciting opportunity to show how serious we are and the high standards that the women play to,” Wannies said.

“You can train as hard and as much as you like but the real test is playing actual matches.

“We don’t get many opportunities to play and we can only improve if we play against strong opposition on a regular basis.”

The Nomads have included a host of vastly experienced players, including Wales loose forwards Jamie Kift (88 caps) and Clare Flowers (75 caps), while up front, Fiona Coghlan has represented Ireland on 68 occasions.

In contrast, South Africa’s most capped players are fullback Yolanda Meiring and lock Dolly Mavumengwana, both of whom have won 26 caps.

The Springbok Women’s team: Yolanda Meiring, Phumeza Gadu, Janine Felix, Daphne Scheepers, Natasha Hofmeester, Zandile Nojoko, Fundiswa Plaatjie, Lamla Momoti, Nomathamsanqa Faleni, Celeste Adonis, Nolusindiso Booi, Dolly Mavumengwana, Cebisa Kula (captain), Denita Wentzel, Nedene Botha.

Replacements: Nosipho Poswa, Katlego Moremi, Thantaswa Macingwana, Nombulelo Mayongo, Theresa Theron, Mathrin Simmers, Lusanda Mtiya. – Sapa