Wales and South Africa kick off the second weekend of the WXV Global Series in Cardiff on Friday night, before Italy and Japan start their challenges in Pordenone on Saturday afternoon.
England will then meet Canada in Exeter in a repeat of last year's Women's Rugby World Cup 2025 final, France host Australia in Aix-en-Provence, and Scotland host New Zealand in Edinburgh. A busy weekend of women's international rugby concludes in Dublin on Sunday, when Ireland face the USA.
Wales v South Africa
Five years after their last encounter, Wales and South Africa meet for the ninth time in their history on Friday at Cardiff Arms Park to kick-off the second round of the WXV Global Series Challenger presented by Mitsubishi Electric.
Back then, Wales overcame a relentless challenge by the Springbok Women to win 29-19 at the same venue.
The home side's head coach Sean Lynn has made several changes from Wales' last outing, with Lisa Neumann moving to full-back in a reshuffled backline, while Alex Callender, who missed the entire Welsh 2026 Six Nations campaign, returns to the backrow, alongside Kate Williams and Bryonie King.
Seren Lockwood and Keira Beven will pair up in the halfbacks, with the latter moving out to 10, while regular fly-half Lleucu George is among the replacements.
Winger Amy Williams will earn her first senior test cap on the wing, after scoring a brace on her representative debut in Wales' win over the Barbarians in June. The squad includes two more possible debutants, with front-rowers Shanelle Williams and Elan Jones poised to come on after the break.
Lynn's opposite number Swys de Bruin has also made a few tactical changes to his squad after their match against the Black Ferns two weeks ago. Slick midfield duo Aphiwe Ngwevu and Maceala Samboya will target the Welsh defensive set-up, while Logan Welman starts in the middle of the backrow, and stalwart number-eight Aseza Hele - who made her international debut at the same venue in 2021 - is set to give the visitors a powerful tonic in the second half.
The home side can expect a heavy challenge from the front-row trio of Sanelisiwe Charlie, Lindelwa Gwala and Babalwa Latsha.
Felicia Jacobs, another who made her debut in Cardiff five years ago, coming off the bench to play on the wing, starts at her more usual scrum-half position, with Nadine Roos recovering from a knee injury in the final of the HSBC SVNS 2 event in São Paulo.
Wales (15-9; 1-8): Lisa Neumann; Seren Singleton, Courtney Knight, Freya Bell, Amy Williams; Keira Bevan, Seren Lockwood; Maisie Davies, Kelsey Jones, Sisilia Tuipulotu, Branwen Metcalfe, Georgia Evans, Kate Williams (co-capt), Alex Callender (co-capt), Bryonie King. Replacements: Shanelle Williams, Gwenllian Pyrs, Elan Jones, Gwen Crabb, Jorja Aiono, Alisha Joyce, Lleucu George, Jenna de Vera.
South Africa: Byrhandré Dolf; Maria Tshiremba, Maceala Samboya, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Ayanda Malinga; Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Felicia Jacobs; Sanelisiwe Charlie, Lindelwa Gwala, Babalwa Latsha (capt); Vainah Ubisi, Danelle Lochner, Sizophila Solontsi, Catha Jacobs, Logan Welman. Replacements: Micke Gunter, Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Nomsa Mokwai, Aseza Hele, Sinelitha Noxeke, Jakkie Cilliers, Patience Mokone.
Italy v Japan
Match preview to follow
Italy: (15-9; 1-8)
Japan:
England v Canada
Match preview to follow
England: (15-9; 1-8)
Canada:
France v Australia
Match preview to follow
France: (15-9; 1-8)
Australia:
Scotland v New Zealand
Match preview to follow
Scotland: (15-9; 1-8)
New Zealand:
Ireland v USA
Match preview to follow
Ireland: (15-9; 1-8)
USA:
