Welsh duo to face club-mate Mpupha

By Harry Scott Munro
12/11/21

Saturday afternoon will again see another match where Exeter Chiefs Women’s team-mates will collide on the international stage, as Caitlin Lewis and Niamh Terry start for Wales against Zintle Mphupa and her South African team-mates (12.15pm).

Last weekend the Welsh secured an impressive 23-5 win over Japan in their opening Autumn Test match - and head coach Ioan Cunningham has made seven changes to the starting line-up, including starts for Lewis on the wing and Terry at full-back. 

Lewis has made a big impact off the bench this season for Susie Appleby’s side with her electric pace and will be hoping to transfer that onto the international scene. It will also be Terry’s first start for her country since November 2019, as she replaces Jasmine Joyce, who has left the side to link up with GB 7s.

Speaking ahead of the match, Cunningham said: “It was important to reward players who made an impact off the bench last weekend with a chance to start this game. We have also considered the short turnaround between playing on Sunday evening and Saturday lunchtime, given we have another Test against Canada next weekend,” Cunningham explained.

Speaking of Terry’s inclusion, Cunningham admitted he had been impressed with what he had seen from the young back in training.

“Jazz Joyce is away on GB Sevens duties as they prepare for the Dubai Sevens, but that gives Niamh Terry an opportunity to start after performing well in training and against the Black Ferns.”

The Head Coach is expecting a robust challenge against the Springbok Women, as he looks to see how his side adjust to different style of play, ahead of the World Cup.

“We were pleased with the performance and win against Japan but it’s important to back that up this week, that is what we have been working on. We need to adjust to a different style of play from our opposition but also put our own stamp on the game, as we did last weekend. We can’t let our guard down.”

For South Africa, they make just one change to their starting XV from last weekend’s defeat in France, as their most experienced player Zenay Jordaan comes into the starting XV in place of Libbie Janse van Rensburg, who reverts to the bench.

ZIntle Mphupa will again continue at outside centre for the Springbok Women, as they look to add a competitive edge to their performance, following defeat to France last weekend.

Despite the defeat, Head Coach Stanley Raubenheimer felt that his side had performed admirably in the circumstances. He said: “The coaching staff felt that the team did well against France, considering the low base we started from with regards to match practice and sharpness. This group will get another chance to show that the lessons learned from the Vannes match can deliver positive change to the mistakes that were made.”

He was however, expecting a much-improved showing against the Welsh.

“We wanted to see at what intensity the French play and with that knowledge, we have a better idea what to expect from Wales. The two sides are more evenly matched than last week, so I believe we can create more opportunities for ourselves, so the challenge will be to make the most of those.”