"Coach Swys de Bruin has made loads of changes from the side that beat Italy last week. He promised before the start of the competition to use all 32 players before the knockouts and he's making good on that. Prop Babalwa Latsha, a familiar name to Harlequins fans - will captain the team for the first time at this tournament. De Bruin also brings in new playmaker Mary Zulu at fly-half."
"The most capped scrumhalf in Springbok Women history, Tayla Kinsey, will also add a third Rugby World Cup arrow to her bow when she comes off the bench against France, a team she has faced four times before, including at the previous RWC, held in New Zealand in 2022, in what will be her 41st Test cap. The human wrecking ball at no. 8, Aseza Hele, keeps her spot. She's one of just two forwards to do so."
"Manae Feleu returns to the second row to add some heft in time for the knockouts. Along with her lock partner Madoussou Fall Raclot, the French will look to match the South Africans at their own game. We're a slightly lighter team, so we'll need to move a lot and hold on over the long haul, Feleu said. We know the first 20 to 40 minutes will be intense. We'll have to be brave defensively, in the collisions, and in attack."
South Africa made extensive changes to its starting XV ahead of the match with France, as coach Swys de Bruin rotates the squad and aims to use all 32 players before the knockouts. Prop Babalwa Latsha will captain the team for the first time at the tournament, with Mary Zulu named at fly-half. Tayla Kinsey, the most capped Springbok Women scrumhalf, is named among the replacements and could earn her 41st Test cap off the bench. Aseza Hele retains the number eight jersey. France bring Manae Feleu back into the second row and plan to use mobility and sustained defence to counter the South African forwards.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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