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Canada’s first action since finishing fourth at the World Cup last year will be a neutral-venue clash against South Africa in Madrid. It’s part of a four-team mini-tourney organized by Spain, with Saturday’s match effectively a warm-up for next week’s Pacific Four opener against the USA.
This is the fourth time the two teams have met though it has been a decade since the last. All three were won decidedly by Canada and all played in North America as part of the Nations Cup. They also meet infrequently on the World Sevens Series where South Africa do not enjoy core status.
Kévin Rouet’s starting lineup is an experienced one with only a single debutante in outside center Fancy Bermudez, a regular on the Sevens circuit. Sarah-Maude Lachance, typically a midfielder, will start on the wing with Sabrina Poulin at fullback. The latter plays her club rugby at Eibar in the Basque Country.
Two further new caps are named on the bench. Former Guelph Gryphons back row Cassandra Tuffnail is now captain of Brunel University in England and will make her first international appearance at tighthead prop. Versatile back Mahalia Robinson from Concordia is one of two backline replacements along with winger Renee Gonzalez.
South Africa are currently coached by former Springbok flyhalf Louis Koen in an interim capacity. He has selected a new-look roster that includes four uncapped players headlined by netball international Danielle Lochner. Outside center Shaunique Hess, fullback Mary Zulu, and utility back Byrhandré Dolf are the other newcomers.
The two teams will enjoy the sunshine of Madrid on Saturday which should allow for an open game. Canada are currently nine places above the 13th-ranked South Africa and will be heavy favorites to come away with another strong victory.
Kickoff is set for 4pm local time, 11am Eastern, 8am Pacific. A live stream will be available on FERugby TV which requires registration but is free of change.
CANADA
1 Brittany Kassil, 2 Emily Tuttosi, 3 DaLeaka Menin, 4 Tyson Beukeboom, 5 Courtney Holtkamp, 6 Fabiola Forteza, 7 Sara Svoboda, 8 Sophie de Goede (capt.), 9 Justine Pelletier, 10 Julia Schell, 11 Paige Farries, 12 Alex Tessier, 13 Fancy Bermudez, 14 Sarah-Maude Lachance, 15 Sabrina Poulin
Replacements: 16 Gillian Boag, 17 Maya Montiel, 18 Cassandra Tuffnail, 19 Emma Taylor, 20 MP Fauteux, 21 Laetitia Royer, 22 Mahalia Robinson, 23 Renee Gonzalez
SOUTH AFRICA
1 Sanelisiwe Charlie, 2 Lindelwa Gwala, 3 Babalwa Latsha, 4 Nolusindiso Booi (capt.), 5 Danielle Lochner, 6 Lusanda Dumke, 7 Catha Jacobs, 8 Aseza Hele, 9 Tayla Kinsey, 10 Libbie Janse van Rensburg, 11 Jakkie Cilliers, 12 Aphiwe Ngwevu, 13 Shaunique Hess, 14 Nomawethu Mabenge, 15 Mary Zulu
Replacements: 16 Roseline Botes, 17 Yonela Ngxingolo, 18 Azisa Mkiva, 19 Sinazo Mcatshulwa, 20 Nompumelelo Mathe, 21 Unam Tose, 22 Chumisa Qawe, 23 Byrhandré Dolf
Date: Saturday, March 25
Venue: Estadio Nacional Complutense, Madrid
Kickoff: 16:00 local (08:00 Pacific, 11:00 Eastern)
Broadcasts: FERugby Stream
Referee: Kat Roche (USA)
Assistants: Lorena Martínez (Spain) & Jen Lee (Spain)
TMO: Félix Villegas (Spain)
HISTORICAL RESULTS
2013-08-07 – Canada 53, South Africa 15 (Greeley)
2011-08-02 – Canada 52, South Africa 17 (Oakville)
2009-08-13 – Canada 35, South Africa 17 (Oakville)
