South Africa's star flanker Temi Faleni has been ruled out of the Women's Rugby World Cup with a shoulder injury.

"Tami was in great form, her tenacity at the breakdown will be missed," said Boks coach Denver Wannies who has named Pulane Motloung as a replacement.

South Africa are in Pool A along with Wales, Australia and New Zealand.

Captain Mandisa Williams is one of nine members of the Boks squad from their last World Cup campaign, while Natasha Hoffmeester was kept out by injury.

Yolanda Meiring, Fundiswa Plaatjie, Cebisa Kula, Lamla Momoti, Saloma Booysen, Zandile Nojoko, Namhla Siyolo and Dolly Mavumengwa are the other players from the last World Cup in Canada.

"The players worked extremely hard and made huge sacrifices and their selection is just reward for their efforts," said Wannies.

"I am satisfied with our preparation so far but they know there's still a lot of work to be done between now and when we leave for the UK on 15 August."

Wales will open their campaign against world sevens champions Australia at Surrey Sports Park on Friday, 20 August (1400 BST).

The game will be the second of the tournament, two hours after Canada face Scotland in the opener.

Wales play two other tough pool matches at the same venue in Guildford.

South Africa are next up on Tuesday, 24 August (1200 BST), before Wales face holders and favourites New Zealand on Saturday, 28 August (1400 BST).

The tournament then enters the knock-out phase with the fourth round of matches on Wednesday, 1 September, before finals day on Sunday, 5 September.

The minor knock-out matches will be played at Surrey Sports Park, while the semi-finals, third-place play-off and final will be staged at the Twickenham Stoop.

South Africa squad:

Backs: Aimee Barrett (Western Province, full-back), Saloma Booysen (Eastern Province, scrum-half), Lorinda Brown (Eastern Province, centre), Phumeza Gadu (Eastern Province, wing), Zenay Jordaan (Eastern Province, fly-half), Charmaine Kayser (Eastern Province, centre), Yolanda Meiring (Blue Bulls, full-back), Zandile Nojoko (Eastern Province, full-back), Fundiswa Plaatjie (Border, scrum-half), Cherne Roberts (Western Province, scrum-half), Daphne Scheepers (Eastern Province, centre), Ziyanda Tywaleni (Border, wing).

Forwards: Nolusindiso Booi (Border, lock), Nedene Botha (Western Province, prop), Pulane Motloung (Golden Lions, flank), Laurian Johannes (Western Province, prop), Portia Jonga (Border, prop), Cebisa Kula (Eastern Province, prop), Dolly Mavumengwana (KwaZulu-Natal, lock), Nombulelo Mayongo (Free State, flank), Onicca Moaga (SANDF, lock), Lamla Momoti (Eastern Province, flank), Cynthia Poswa (Western Province, hooker), Donna Sidumbu (Eastern Province, hooker), Namhla Siyolo (Eastern Province, eight), Mandisa Williams (Border, flank).

Management: Denver Wannies (head coach), Orna Prinsloo (team manager), Rhudolph Gerber (assistant coach - forwards), Kayalethu Malotana (assistant coach - forwards), Denzil van Heerden (conditioning coach), Tanushree Pillay (physiotherapist), Dr Jacoba Lindique (team doctor), Anthony Heugh (technical analyst), Rayaan Adriaanse (communications manager).

E-mail this to a friend

Printable version