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SQUAD ANNOUNCEMENT: Black Ferns head coach Whitney Hansen has confirmed a 31-player strong squad for the remainder of 2026 season, which included a showdown with a Springbok Women.
The Black Ferns are set to face Black Ferns XV, Australia, South Africa as part of the RGR tour, and the WXV Global Series (home and away).
Nine changes have been made to the squad named earlier this year for the Pacific Four Series, including five uncapped players off the back of consistent Sky Super Rugby Aupiki performances. Loosehead prop Ngano Tavake, Amarante Sititi (lock), Elinor-Plum King (loose forward) and outside backs Maia Davis and Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a have earned Black Ferns call-ups.
Returning Black Ferns include prop Santo Taumata, who last appeared in the Women’s Rugby World Cup 2022 winning squad, and centre Alena Saili who makes her first Black Ferns appearance since 2018. Fullback Braxton Sorensen-McGee also joins the squad, while loose forward Layla Sae completes a remarkable return after recovering from an ACL injury.
South African-born Amy du Plessis has also been included in the line-up, adding an interesting South African connection to the clash.
Born in KwaZulu-Natal, Du Plessis moved to New Zealand with her family at the age of seven, with the family settling in Invercargill.
She quickly made her mark in rugby and became a key figure in Southland Girls’ High School’s success. In 2016, she helped the school secure its first national Top 4 title.
Du Plessis was also part of the New Zealand squad the last time the two teams went head-to-head, coming off the bench during their 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cup quarter-final clash in England.
Her inclusion adds another intriguing storyline to what promises to be a highly anticipated encounter.
“This squad has an exciting blend of experience and emerging talent, finding the right balance was a key part of our selections process. We’re also thrilled to welcome our new Black Ferns, who will bring different strengths to our environment on and off the field,” Hansen said.
“The quality of rugby in Sky Super Rugby Aupiki continues to rise every year. The competition for spots in the squad is stronger than ever, with so many talented players across every position. That’s made selection decisions for us incredibly tough, but it’s exactly where we want the game to be and it’s only going to get harder.”
(Age, Sky Super Rugby Aupiki club, Provincial Union, Test caps):
Loosehead Props
Chryss Viliko (25, Blues, Auckland, 22)
Maddison Robinson (25, Matatū, Canterbury, 3)
Ngano Tavake (25, Hurricanes Poua, Manawatū, uncapped)
Hookers
Vici-Rose Green (24, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 7)
Atlanta Lolohea (23, Blues, Canterbury, 11)
Georgia Ponsonby (26, Matatū, Canterbury, 40)
Tighthead Props
Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu (21, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 6)
Mo’omo’oga Palu (24, Hurricanes Poua, Hawke’s Bay, 1)
Santo Taumata (23, Matatū, Bay of Plenty, 7)
Locks
Maiakawanakaulani Roos (25, Blues, Auckland, 41)
Laura Bayfield (27, Matatū, Canterbury, 9)
Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu (23, Blues, Auckland, 10)
Amarante Sititi (19, Blues, Auckland, uncapped)
Loose forwards
Mia Anderson (24, Chiefs Manawa, Waikato, 3)
Liana Mikaele-Tu’u (24, Blues, Auckland, 38)
Kaipo Olsen-Baker (24, Matatū, Manawatū, 19)
Elinor-Plum King (22, Matatū, Manawatū, uncapped)
Layla Sae (25, Hurricanes Poua, Manawatū, 19)
Scrumhalves
Maia Joseph (24, Matatū, Otago, 19)
Tara Turner (22, Blues, Northland, 3)
Flyhalves
Ruahei Demant (31, Blues, Auckland, 54) – co-captain
Hannah King (22, Matatū, Canterbury, 13)
Midfield
Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt (22, Blues, Auckland, 32)
Justine McGregor (20, Chiefs Manawa, Black Ferns Sevens, 3)
Amy Du Plessis (27, Matatū, Canterbury, 25)
Alena Saili (27, Matatū, Black Ferns Sevens, 5)
Outside backs
Maia Davis (20, Matatū, Black Ferns Sevens, uncapped)
Ayesha Leti-I’iga (27, Hurricanes Poua, Wellington, 33)
Mererangi Paul (27, Blues, Counties Manukau, 17)
Braxton Sorensen-McGee (19, Blues, Black Ferns Sevens, 9)
Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a (19, Chiefs Manawa, uncapped)
Unavailable due to injury: Kennedy Tukuafu (hamstring), Jaymie Kolose (ankle).
*Additional source: Black Ferns
This article was originally published by rugby365.com.
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