Springbok Women adjust their backline for crunch clash with Italy

SPRINGBOK Women’s coach Swys de Bruin has tinkered with his team selection for tomorrow’s vital World Cup pool game against Italy at the York Community Stadium in England. Kickoff is at 4.30pm.

- MIKE GREENAWAY

Utility back Nadine Roos will start at fullback and Unam Tose at scrumhalf, while Chumisa Qawe and Eloise Webb will make their first appearances at the tournament.

Roos, who scored South Africa’s first try in their opening fixture against Brazil, played at scrumhalf in that match, but De Bruin has decided to tweak the backline for this crucial match, with Tose slotting in behind the scrum and Byrhandré Dolf, who started at fullback, moving to tight wing in place of Maceala Samboya.

Qawe will start at inside centre in place of Aphiwe Ngwevu, who moves to the bench, where she will be joined by Border Ladies teammate Webb, who replaces Jakkie Cilliers amongst the replacements.

The same pack that dominated Brazil will start against Italy, and the same group of forwards that came off the bench in Northampton will do so again.

De Bruin said the tweaks were made specifically with their opponents in mind.