Nobele on debut for WRWC clash against Wales
Wing Sinazo Nobele could make her Springbok Women’s debut off the bench on Saturday in their Women’s Rugby World Cup clash against Wales in Marcoussis in a reshuffled team named by Springbok Women’s coach Lawrence Sephaka.
Sephaka made several changes to his match-22 for the clash, with the starting lineup featuring five personnel changes and three positional switches to the team that went down against France.
Fullback Cindy Cant, flyhalf Zandile Nojoko, utility forward Andrea Mentoor, flank Rachelle Geldenhuys and prop Nwabisa Ngxatu were all handed starts, while Siviwe Basweni switched from fullback to centre and captain Zenay Jordaan moved from flyhalf to outside centre. In the other positional switch looseforward Lamla Momoti moves from flank to No8.
The notable inclusion on the bench was wing Sinazo Nobele, who will make her Test debut should she take to the field, while hooker Thantaswa Macingwana reclaimed her position after recovering from the knee injury that ruled her out of the France Test.
“All of the players we have drafted into the starting lineup have been rewarded following impressive performances off the bench,” said Sephaka. “They have all been patient to earn starts and they are determined to assist the team sway their fortunes in the competition. So it is now up to them to show us what they can do.”
Of the positional switches, Sephaka said they were blessed to have players who could cover a few positions, and said: “Siviwe is a seasoned wing and she certainly has the pace and skills to beat defenders out wide, while Zenay’s distribution skills and ability to read a game could add a different dimension in the midfield. Lamla, meanwhile is no stranger at No8 and she has proved that she has the skills to be a solid link between the forwards and backs.”
Sephaka was also pleased for Nobele and said she proved in the last month that she has the talent to play at this level.
“Sinazo has impressed me with her skills and attitude since our World Cup holding camp in Cape Town,” said the coach. “She has good pace and skills and her patience to make her debut has been admirable. She has not dropped her head once at training and she has continued to work as hard as the other players despite being on the fringes of selection. She certainly deserves her place on the bench.”
The match can be viewed on live-streaming on www.rwcwomens.com at 17h00 on Friday.
Springbok Women’s team to face Wales:
15 – Cindy Cant
14 – Siviwe Basweni
13 – Zenay Jordaan (capt)
12 – Lorinda Brown
11 – Phumeza Gadu
10 – Zandile Nojoko
9 – Fundiswa Plaatjie
8 – Lamla Momoti
7 – Andrea Mentoor
6 – Rachelle Geldenhuys
5 – Nolusindiso Booi
4 – Celeste Adonis
3 – Cebisa Kula
2 – Denita Wentzel
1 – Nwabisa Ngxatu
Replacements:
16 – Thantaswa Macingwana
17 – Portia Jonga
18 – Vuyolwethu Vazi
19 – Shona-Leah Weston
20 – Tayla Kinsey
21 –Veroeshka Grain
22 – Sinazo Nobele
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