Bok Women New Captain: Solontsi Leads vs Ireland 2024

Babalwa Latsha's ankle injury has forced a leadership change in the Springbok Women camp, with Sizophila Solontsi confirmed as captain for the final two WXV Global Series Tests against Ireland on South African soil.

Solontsi Takes Over as Captain

Latsha was withdrawn from the squad on Saturday at the conclusion of the team's training camp in Stellenbosch, leaving Solontsi to take the armband for the fixtures in Cape Town on 24 and 31 October. Solontsi is no stranger to the captaincy — she co-led the Bok Women alongside Unam Tose against Italy last month, so this is not a step into the unknown for her.

Tose has been named vice-captain for both matches, which will be the first internationals between South Africa and Ireland played on home soil. That context alone makes this series significant, and Solontsi will be acutely aware of the weight of the occasion.

Multiple Injuries Reshape Squad

The injury news does not stop with Latsha. Nombuyekezo Mdliki has also been ruled out after failing to recover from the rib injury she sustained against Spain earlier this month. Two experienced players missing at once is a genuine blow to depth and continuity heading into Tests of this magnitude.

Replacements for both Latsha and Mdliki were set to be confirmed on Monday, and the coaching staff will need those call-ups to hit the ground running with minimal preparation time before the first Test.

South Africa hosting Ireland for the first time is a milestone the Bok Women deserve to mark with a result. Solontsi now carries that responsibility. How she stamps her authority on the group over the next week will define the tone for both matches — starting on 24 October in Cape Town.