Black Ferns bring back Du Plessis for quarter-Final vs South Africa

The Black Ferns have named their match-day 23 for the Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final against South Africa, to be held at Sandy Park in Exeter on Saturday.

Loose forward Kaipo Olsen-Baker returns in the starting XV at No. 8, and Amy du Plessis is back on the bench, both recovering from injuries sustained in the opening-round match.

Up front, Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu starts at tighthead prop, alongside Chryss Viliko and hooker Georgia Ponsonby. The locking pair remains Maiakawanakaulani Roos and Alana Bremner. The loose forwards are Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, Jorja Miller, and Olsen-Baker.

In the backs, Maia Joseph takes the scrumhalf role with co-captain Ruahei Demant at fly-half. Veterans Theresa Setefano and Stacey Waaka form the midfield partnership. Wings are Portia Woodman-Wickliffe and Braxton Sorensen-McGee, while Renee Holmes is selected as fullback.

The replacements include Atlanta Lolohea, Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, Kate Henwood, Laura Bayfield, Kennedy Tukuafu, Iritana Hohaia, du Plessis, and Ayesha Leti-I’iga. Waaka will celebrate her 30th Test .

Director of Performance Allan Bunting emphasized that despite the match being a knockout game, the Ferns have prepared well.

“This match against South Africa means a lot to us … It’s a play-off match,” he said. He confirmed that they have selected their strongest available team.

Black Ferns: 15 Renee Holmes, 14 Braxton Sorensen-McGee, 13 Stacey Waaka, 12 Theresa Setefano, 11 Portia Woodman-Wickliffe, 10 Ruahei Demant (co-captain), 9 Maia Joseph, 8 Kaipo Olsen-Baker, 7 Jorja Miller, 6 Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 5 Alana Bremner, 4 Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 3 Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, 2 Georgia Ponsonby, 1 Chryss Viliko.

Reserves: 16 Atlanta Lolohea, 17 Awhina Tangen-Wainohu, 18 Kate Henwood, 19 Laura Bayfield, 20 Kennedy Tukuafu (co-captain), 21 Iritana Hohaia, 22 Amy du Plessis, 23 Ayesha Leti-I’iga.