Spain and South Africa will meet in Seville, as Instalaciones deportivas La Cartuja welcome the two sides for this week's sole WXV Global Series match.
Having missed the WXV Global Series Challenger in Hong Kong, Ana Peralta returns to Las Leonas squad for this one-off clash, starting in the back row with Nerea García and Valentina Pérez.
Stade Toulousain's Amalia Argudo and Harlequins' Claudia Peña Hidalgo will lead the Spanish charge from the backline, with both expected to unleash the full might of the Spanish attack. Argudo was Las Leonas' top scorer at the WXV Global Series Challenger, collecting 26 points through two tries, five conversions and two penalty goals, making her the tournament's second-highest points scorer.
Another strength for this weekend will be the quality coming off the bench, with Alba Capell, Anne de Corres Fernández, Bingbing Vergara and Lea Ducher expected to provide fresh energy and valuable impact during the final 40 minutes. Tight-head prop Maëlia Lapujada will make her test debut, having earned the trust of Régis Sonnes to earn a place in Spain's 23.
For the Springbok Women, co-coaches Laurian Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September opted for just a couple of changes following the 41-29 victory over Italy. Patience Mokone takes Maria Tshiremba's place on the left wing, while Babalwa Latsha is the new face in the forward pack, stepping in at tight-head prop.
Jakkie Cilliers is expected to reprise the role she played against Italy. The full-back was crucial to that win in Fontanafredda, initiating more than 10 attacking plays for the Springbok Women. However, the South Africans' greatest weapon is their forward pack, who were responsible for three of the five tries in last Saturday's victory - though only Anushka Groenewald and Logan Welman will be involved in this Sunday's challenge.
Harlequins' Danelle Lochner is back into the fold after missing last weekend's game, with Mary Zulu also poised to make her first WXV appearance of the season. Spain and South Africa have clashed since 2014, with the Springbok Women holding the head-to-head lead, having won six of nine games. They last met in 2025, when South Africa beat Elche 48-26.
France's Bérénice Loubet will officiate the match scheduled for Sunday at 1pm.
Spain (15-9; 1-8): Amalia Argudo; Tecla Masoko, Claudia Peña, Amaia Erbina, Claudia Cano; Naroa Azpitarte, Matilda Toca; Inés Antolínez, Marieta Román, Eider García; Carmen Castellucci, Lourdes Alameda (capt); Ana Peralta, Nerea García, Valentina Pérez. Replacements: Nuria Jou, África Vílchez, Maëlia Lapoujada, Beatriz Rivera, Alba Capell, Anne Fernández De Corres, Bingbing Vergara, Lea Ducher.
South Africa: Jakkie Cilliers; Alichia Arries, Maceala Samboya, Shiniqwa Lamprecht,Patience Mokone; Byrhandre Dolf, Unam Tose; Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Anushka Groenewald, Babalwa Latsha (capt); Vainah Ubisi, Catha Jacobs; Sizophila Solontsi, Lerato Makua, Aseza Hele. Replacements: Lindelwa Gwala, Yonela Ngxingolo, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Danelle Lochner, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Felicia Jacobs, Mary Zulu.
