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Springbok Women v Black Ferns - Teams and Prediction PREVIEW: It doesn’t matter which team you are backing; when South Africa Women host New Zealand Women, it will be a historic moment for women’s rugby. The Springbok Women and Black Ferns will go head-to-head for the first time on South African soil this Saturday at the iconic FNB Stadium in Johannesburg. The fixture forms part of a double-header celebrating Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry between the Springboks and All Blacks. To make things even more interesting, the series is locked at 1-1, so a win will mean you can’t lose the series. There has been plenty of drama in the rugby fraternity in the build-up to the historic occasion. Aside from Rassie Erasmus and Dave Rennie’s war of words, there was the shock announcement that Springbok Women head coach Swys de Bruin has vacated his role. The news broke on Thursday and has been making headlines. It is certainly not an ideal time for the Bok Women, who have been making massive strides since the former Lions boss took over in 2024. But as far as Rugby365 understand, it seems like the Bok Women team are in good spirits ahead of their historic showdown against the Black Ferns. Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September will take over the coaching duties. The Black Ferns will also have a new face at the helm since the last time these two sides met in the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup quarterfinal in England. Whitney Hansen, daughter of former All Blacks coach Steve Hansen, became the 13th Black Ferns head coach when she took over in 2025 after the World Cup. The two teams have had fairly different journeys when it comes to women’s rugby. The first time they met was in 2010, 89 years after the All Blacks and Springbok men had first met on a rugby field. The Black Ferns recorded a 55-3 comprehensive win at the University of Surrey in Guildford, England, as part of that year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup. By that time, the Black Ferns had won three World Cups in a row, but remained resolutely amateur, achieving their success through the incredible determination of a core group of players and staff. At least they had a provincial competition and television coverage; by contrast, their South African counterparts had only formed a national team in 2004. It took another 15 years for the sides to meet again, under the same circumstances at the World Cup in England. But this time, it was in the quarterfinal, and the Bok Women were brave, keeping the Black Ferns at 10-all at the break. However, the Black Ferns eventually ran out 46-17 winners. “Taking from what we’ve experienced at the World Cup, they are definitely a good physical encounter for us,” said Springbok Women assistant coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt, who played in the 2010 World Cup. The majority of the team that will take to the field on Saturday featured in the 2025 World Cup showdown. Vainah Ubisi and Catha Jacobs were on the bench for that fixture, and they replace Nolusindiso Booi (retired) and Sinazo Mcatshulwa (injured) in the starting team this weekend. At scrumhalf, Unam Tose will start in place of the injured Nadine Roos, while Maceala Samboya will play off the bench this time, with Alichia Arries starting on the wing. Anacadia Minnaar comes in as the replacement scrumhalf. “We’ve taken the experience of these ladies that were at the game, and now we just want to be better at every facet of the game and improve in that department,” she stated. On the historic nature of the fixture, captain Babalwa Latsha stated: “We’re playing one of our biggest Test matches around one of the biggest stadiums, in easily one of the biggest spectacles. “So it’s an opportunity that we really have prepared well for. The general feeling in the team is excitement.” Latsha, who scored the first try in the quarterfinal, will hope to once again set the tone this Saturday. “The game at the World Cup was a different set of challenges, and this particular one also presents a unique set of challenges, which is a good opportunity for us to hit the ground running. “We cannot be passive, and we won’t be passive in this particular game. “Rugby is a game of two halves. It’s a game of territory, it’s a game of dominance, which is essentially what we’ve been working towards throughout the week: to hit first rather than absorb hits.” She added: “We’ve worked very hard on our defensive systems and fine-tuning our attack as well.” Although the Springbok Women are known for their forward dominance, Hansen, who will take charge of her sixth match this season, is wary of the other threats the home side will pose. “We can’t afford to be on the back foot because they’re so powerful with the ball in hand,” said Hansen. “We do know that they’re a physical squad and they’ll bring a physical game. “But you can’t really expect to know what’s coming anywhere at any time, so expect the unexpected.” Hansen said the fixture was a special one, given the long and historic rivalry between the countries’ respective men’s sides on South African soil, which will now add a women’s chapter. “It’s amazing for South African women’s rugby, and it’s a privilege to be a part of that for us. They’re gonna be really tough competition, and to do that alongside our brothers in the ABs is gonna be a pretty special moment.” Player to watch: For South Africa Women: Captain Babalwa Latsha will want to lead from the front, and her scrummaging will be vital. The second-row pairing of Danelle Lochner and Vainah Ubisi will be a key component at lineout time. The pair have the potential to become one of the best lock pairings in the world. Strong-running No. 8 Aseza Hele can be a game-changer, while Catha Jacobs’ versatility and work rate at the breakdown will be another facet to look out for. In the backline, winger Alichia Arries has tremendous pace and can be lethal on the counter. The boot of Byrhandre Dolf will also be crucial. For New Zealand Women: All eyes will be on Amy du Plessis. The South Africa-born centre, who hails from KwaZulu-Natal, will have added motivation as she takes on the country of her birth in what promises to be a special occasion. Du Plessis missed the 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup quarterfinal between the sides through injury, but returns to the midfield for this historic first Test between the teams on South African soil. At fullback, Braxton Sorensen-McGee announced herself on the world stage with an incredible performance last season. The 19-year-old is an incredible talent with an impressive rugby IQ. She will have a major role in dealing with the Springbok Women’s kicking game while also providing a dangerous counter-attacking option. No. 8 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, similar to Aseza Hele, is a physical presence in the back row. She could be central to New Zealand’s efforts to dominate the collisions and breakdown. *See the teams and prediction below! Prediction: The Springbok Women will certainly want to put in another improved performance, but the Black Ferns go into the Test as favourites. After all, New Zealand are ranked second in the world and have considerably more experience at the highest level. However, playing in front of a home crowd at the iconic FNB Stadium could give the Bok Women an emotional lift Rugby365: Black Ferns by 12 points. Teams: South Africa: 15 Byrhandré Dolf, 14 Alichia Arries, 13 Zintle Mpupha, 12 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 11 Ayanda Malinga, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 9 Unam Tose, 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Catha Jacobs, 6 Sizophila Solontsi, 5 Danelle Lochner, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Babalwa Latsha (captain), 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 1 Sanelisiwe Charlie. Replacements: 16 Anushka Groenewald, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Shiniqwa Lamprecht, 21 Logan Welman, 22 Anacadia Minnaar, 23 Maceala Samboya New Zealand: 15 Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 14 Mererangi Paul, 13 Amy du Plessis, 12 Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, 11 Ayesha Leti-I’iga, 10 Hannah King, 9 Maia Joseph, 8 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 7 Elinor-Plum King, 6 Mia Anderson, 5 Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, 4 Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 3 Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, 2 Georgia Ponsonby, 1 Chryss Viliko. Replacements: 16 Atlanta Lolohea, 17 Maddison Robinson, 18 Santo Taumata, 19 Laura Bayfield, 20 Amarante Sititi, 21 Tara Turner, 22 Ruahei Demant, 23 Justine McGregor Date: Saturday, September 5 Venue: FNB Stadium, Johannesburg Kick-off: 13.30 (11.30 GMT; 23.30 NZT) Referee: Zoe Naude (South Africa) Assistant Referees: Giana Viljoen, Angie Bezuidenhout (South Africa) TMO: Quinton Immelman (South Africa) Watch Rugby's Greatest Rivalry LIVE Two rugby giants collide. Stream live, replays and highlights free on RugbyPass TV.