SA women take on Nomads
2008-08-05 18:29
Johannesburg - The Springbok women's rugby team face a stern test on Saturday when they host the touring Nomads, the women's version of the Barbarians.
The match will serve as the curtain-raiser to the Mandela Tribute Test between the Springboks and Argentina at Coca-Cola Park (formerly Ellis Park). It kicks off at 12 noon.
The Nomads include talent such as Vanessa Gray and Sue Day, as well as the face of women's rugby, Anna Richards.
Gray has represented England 29 times, scoring against New Zealand in 2005 and participating in the final of the Women's World Cup the following year.
Day has donned the white jersey of her country 59 times. She has participated in three World Cups.
Richards, the captain of New Zealand's national women's side, recently lifted the World Cup in 2006.
The Nomads include players representing New Zealand, England, Australia, Scotland, Ireland, Wales and Canada.
"The Nomads are one of the finest women's teams ever assembled," said Saru Manager of Women's Rugby Mahlubi Puzi. "From a South African perspective this will provide a very accurate barometer as to where we are in our preparations for the next World Cup in 2010.
Blooded a number of youngsters
"The only way to improve is to test yourself against the best, and that is exactly the calibre of opposition the Nomads will provide."
Puzi said the South African team selected includes a number of senior players such as captain Mandisa Williams, the 2006 Women's Player of the year, and Natasha Hoffmeester, the 2007 Women's Player of the Year, but also has blooded a number of youngsters.
"We were disappointed in our performance at the last World Cup, so the side has been selected with 2010 in mind. Our leading players such as Williams and Hoffmeester will prove invaluable in bringing through the next generation of Under-20 talent."
Nomads squad to tour South Africa:
NAME POSITION COUNTRY (CAPS) Nieves Oriola Davies prop Canada (0) Vanessa Gray prop England (29) Leslie Cripps prop Canada (35) Louise Horgan prop Wales (33) Lauren Engebretsen hooker New Zealand (3) Philippa Crews hooker England (0) Bronwyn Macintosh lock Australia (15) Alex Pilkington lock England (8) Lyndsey Wheeler lock Scotland (25) Donna Kennedy lock Scotland (100) Georgia Stevens back row England (71) Lynne Reid back row Scotland (39) Nicola Evans back row Wales (7) Eryka Wessel back row Ireland (3) Susie Appleby scrumhalf England (65) Helen Harding scrumhalf England (5) Shelley Rae flyhalf England (44) Anna Richards flyhalf New Zealand (42) Joanne O'Sullivan backs Ireland (38) Jackie Shiels backs Ireland (1) Fiona Britten backs England (4) Leilani Feaunati backs New Zealand (4) Sarah Marsh wing England (10) Non Evans wing Wales (72) Sue Day wing England (59) Vicki Jackson wing England (1) Coach: Lee Adamson
- SAPA