Tose and Solontsi to share captaincy as Springbok Women reshuffle for Italy

According to Springbok Women co-head coach Franzel September, the 12 changes to the starting line-up were not a response to last weekend's disappointing 50-19 defeat against Wales, but part of the team's longer-term planning as they build towards the 2028 Women's Rugby World Cup in Australia.

"We were stung in Cardiff, but no player has been dropped as such for this match against Italy," said September.

"We were always going to test combinations, bring players back from injury and give newer players more Test match opportunities. This match-up is the one we believe will have the best chance of success against a very capable Italian side."

Unam Tose will return at scrumhalf and share the captaincy with Sizo Solontsi, who moves from flanker to lock. It will be the first time both players have captained the Springbok Women in Test rugby.

Regular captain Babalwa Latsha is among six players who started last week's match against Wales who have been named on the bench.

Only three backs have retained their starting places from the Wales match. Maceala Samboya remains at outside centre, while Maria Tshiremba switches from right wing to left wing and Byrhandré Dolf moves from fullback to flyhalf.

Lerato Makua and Alichia Arries return after missing the Wales match through injury, with Arries starting on the wing. Shiniqwa Lamprecht starts at inside centre, while Jakkie Cilliers moves from the bench to fullback.

There are also wholesale changes among the forwards, with Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Anushka Groenewald and Yonela Ngxingolo forming a new front row. Ngxingolo will win her 48th cap, moving into second place on the Springbok Women's all-time appearance list.

Catha Jacobs moves from flanker to lock alongside Vainah Ubisi, while Makua starts at blindside flanker and Aseza Hele returns at No 8. Logan Welman drops to the bench.

Springbok Women - 15 Jakkie Cilliers, 14 Alichia Arries, 13 Maceala Samboya, 12 Shiniqwa Lamprecht, 11 Maria Tshiremba, 10 Byrhandre Dolf, 9 Unam Tose (co-captain), 8 Aseza Hele, 7 Lerato Makua, 6 Sizophila Solontsi (co-captain), 5 Catha Jacobs, 4 Vainah Ubisi, 3 Nombuyekezo Mdliki, 2 Anushka Groenewald, 1 Yonela Ngxingolo.

Replacements: 16 Micke Gunter, 17 Sanelisiwe Charlie, 18 Babalwa Latsha, 19 Nomsa Mokwai, 20 Logan Welman, 21 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 22 Felicia Jacobs, 23 Libbie Janse van Rensburg.