Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium will be the backdrop of a second international double header in South Africa. With the Springbok Men set to take on Italy’s Azzurri later in the day, the Springbok Women get another opportunity to test themselves against Canada after a dominant showing by the Maple Leafs last weekend in Pretoria.
Current World Ranking: 12 (68.04 points)
2025-07-05 – South Africa 20, Canada 50 (Pretoria)
2025-06-15 – Madagascar 17, South Africa 61 (Antananarivo)
2025-06-11 – Kenya 12, South Africa 19 (Antananarivo)
2025-06-07 – Uganda 7, South Africa 62 (Antananarivo)
2025-04-19 – Spain 26, South Africa 48 (Alicante)
Current World Ranking: 2 (89.77 points)
2025-07-05 – South Africa 20, Canada 50 (Pretoria)
2025-05-23 – Australia 7, Canada 45 (Brisbane)
2025-05-17 – New Zealand 27, Canada 27 (Christchurch)
2025-05-02 – USA 14, Canada 26 (Kansas City)
2024-10-12 – Canada 12, England 21 (Vancouver)
 |
IN | OUT |
| 7 | Catha Jacobs | Sinazo Mcatshulwa |
| 9 | Nadine Roos | Tayla Kinsey |
| 10 | Eloise Webb | Libbie Janse van Rensburg |
| 12 | Libbie Janse van Rensburg | Chumisa Qawe |
| 15 | Byrhandré Dolf | Nadine Roos |
|
IN | OUT |
| 1 | Brittany Kassil | McKinley Hunt |
| 3 | Olivia DeMerchant | DaLeaka Menin |
| 4 | Tyson Beukeboom | Courtney O’Donnell |
| 6 | Pamphinette Buisa | Caroline Crossley |
| 7 | Karen Paquin | Fabiola Forteza |
| 9 | Justine Pelletier | Olivia Apps |
| 10 | Claire Gallagher | Taylor Perry |
| 11 | Carissa Norsten | Fancy Bermudez |
| 12 | Maddy Grant | Alex Tessier |
| 13 | Shoshanah Seumanutafa | Florence Symonds |
| 14 | Krissy Scurfield | Alysha Corrigan |
- Swys de Bruin has rewarded Byrhandré Dolf with a start at fullback after her try-scoring cameo last week… there is further rotation in the backline as Libbie Janse van Rensburg slides over to inside center, with a new halfback pairing in Nadine Roos and Eloise Webb… Roos was wearing the No15 shirt in the first test
- it’s a nearly identical forward pack with the exception of No7, where Catha Jacobs rotates in from the bench for Sinazo Mcatshulwa
- Kévin Rouet has rotated most of his run-on side, with only Gillian Boag, Laetitia Royer, Gabrielle Senft, and Julia Schell retained
- regular captain Sophie de Goede will make her return from a long-term knee injury off the bench… with Alex Tessier rested this week, Tyson Beukeboom leads out the side in her 76th test match
- two players are set to win their first caps for Canada… sevens international Carissa Norsten is named on the wing, while Guelph University hooker Taylor McKnight is among the reserves
Swys de Bruin (Head Coach)
“We are still looking at combinations, managing game time and keeping the players honest with these changes. These two Test matches against Canada and the two encounters against the Black Ferns XV at the end of the month were requested to provide high calibre opposition and for our squad to experience the pressures of playing the top players in the world.”
“We have this opportunity now to try new things, so want to use those before the Rugby World Cup starts. We have also tweaked some tactical plays, and I can honestly say that I am very, very excited about the weekend.”
Kévin Rouet (Head Coach)
“One of the main purposes of this tour was to make sure all 32 players got valuable playing experience and to give them the opportunity to showcase themselves on the field. It was a tough encounter in altitude last weekend, it’s now time to keep growing and gaining experience with our next game.
“You’ll see that there are a lot of changes to our team compared to last week but this tour was about building our depth and confidence ahead of the World Cup. I am excited to see how this group performances this week.”
Similar conditions await on Saturday but without the altitude in Pretoria. The South Africans had some moments of success but were clearly outclassed by the Maple Leafs last weekend. While this is a very different Canadian lineup, it’s no less formidable with the likes of World Cup vets Beukeboom, Olivia DeMerchant, and Karen Paquin leading from the front. Expect a similar result to the first test. Canada are heavy favorites in Port Elizabeth.
SOUTH AFRICA
1 Sanelisiwe Charlie, 2 Micke Gunter, 3 Babalwa Latsha, 4 Nolusindiso Booi (capt.), 5 Danelle Lochner, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 7 Catha Jacobs, 8 Aseza Hele, 9 Nadine Roos, 10 Eloise Webb, 11 Ayanda Malinga, 12 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 13 Zintle Mpupha, 14 Jakkie Cilliers, 15 Byrhandré Dolf
Replacements: 16 Luchell Hanekom, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Azisa Mkiva, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 21 Lerato Makua, 22 Unam Tose, 23 Chumisa Qawe
CANADA
1 Brittany Kassil, 2 Gillian Boag, 3 Olivia DeMerchant, 4 Tyson Beukeboom (capt.), 5 Laetitia Royer, 6 Pamphinette Buisa, 7 Karen Paquin, 8 Gabrielle Senft, 9 Justine Pelletier, 10 Claire Gallagher, 11 Carissa Norsten, 12 Maddy Grant, 13 Shoshanah Seumanutafa, 14 Krissy Scurfield, 15 Julia Schell
Replacements: 16 Taylor McKnight, 17 Mikiela Nelson, 18 Rori Wood, 19 Courtney O’Donnell, 20 Rachel Smith, 21 Sophie de Goede, 22 Olivia Apps, 23 Florence Symonds
Date: Saturday, July 12
Venue: Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Port Elizabeth
Kickoff: 13:30 local (04:30 Pacific, 07:30 Eastern)
Weather Forecast: sunny, 63°F (17°C), wind SE 5-7mph (8-11km/h)
Broadcasts: TSN 2 (Canada), RugbyPass TV
Referee: Precious Pazani (Zimbabwe)
Assistants: Aimee Barrett-Theron (South Africa) & Zoë Naudé (South Africa)
TMO: Christie du Preez (South Africa)
HEAD-TO-HEAD (5): Canada 5, South Africa 0
2025-07-05 – South Africa 20, Canada 50 (Pretoria)
2023-03-25 – Canada 66, South Africa 7 (Madrid)
2013-08-07 – Canada 53, South Africa 15 (Greeley)
2011-08-02 – Canada 52, South Africa 17 (Oakville)
2009-08-13 – Canada 35, South Africa 17 (Oakville)
