Raubenheimer made some tweaks to the side that beat Japan by 20-10 in Kumagaya two weeks ago for the first of two Tests against Spain, with Tose and Chumisa Qawe promoted to the starting team after playing off the bench in that historic victory.
It will be a first start in four years for Tose in her ninth Test for South Africa, having made all but one of her appearances off the bench, and she replaces Tayla Kinsey, who was not considered for this match.
Upfront, Raubenheimer tweaked his loose trio combination as well, with Aseza Hele returning from the bench to the start at No 8, with Sizophila Solontsi wearing the No 6 jersey and Mkhari slotting in on the other side of the back row.
Solontsi, who started at No 8 in Kumagaya, takes over from Lusanda Dumke, who will play off the bench.
Jacobs made a successful return to play off the bench in Kumagaya, following an ankle injury, and will join captain Nolusindiso Booi in the engine room, with Mkhari moving to the side of the scrum in place of Sinazo Mcatshulwa.
In the backs, Chumisa Qawe will start in place of Aphiwe Ngwevu, while there are significant changes amongst the replacements. Rumandi Potgieter is back in the fray at scrumhalf to take Tose’s spot on the bench, while there is also a return to action for Zenay Jordaan.
Jordaan, the most capped player in the squad, missed the Japan trip due to injury, but re-joined the team this week.
Raubenheimer’s decision to select Chuma Qawe for the Spain series squad means a reunion with her older twin, Chumisa, and a return for the national team for the first time since 2019.
The DHL Western Province fullback missed a chunk of action last year and the start of the current season after knee surgery, but she has worked her way back to fitness and into Rugby World Cup contention.
The twins could potentially play together again for their country for the first time since 2019, when they shared the field against Scotland.
Roseline Botes is also back in the fray, having played against Namibia earlier this year, but missing out on the Japan tour selection.
Rights Mkhari in action against Japan.
Raubenheimer said the changes were all made for a specific reason.
“Some of our players need the game time, with others I want to see how combinations function and in Unam’s case for example, I want to see how she copes with starting a test match,” said Raubenheimer.
“I know exactly what she can do for the team off the bench, so this will be a different challenge for her and I am keen to see how she goes in the opening half.”
The players also need to realise that no one is guaranteed a place in the starting team, he added.
“Spain will offer different challenges to Japan and we need to adapt to that,” he said.
“For that, we might want to change our approach and need a different player in the squad to fulfil a specific task. We did great in Japan and that win was wonderful, but need to improve even more and build on that as we get closer and closer to the World Cup.”
Springbok Women team to face Spain in Johannesburg:
15. Nadine Roos – 6 tests, 15 points (3 tries)
14. Ayanda Malinga – 7 tests, 40 points (7 tries)
13. Zintle Mpupha – 13 tests, 86 points (16 tries, three conversions)
12. Chumisa Qawe – 8 tests, 5 points (1 try)
11. Simamkele Namba – 4 tests, 25 points (5 tries)
10. Libbie Janse van Rensburg – 8 tests, 67 points (4 tries, 19 conversions, 3 penalty goals)
9. Unam Tose – 9 tests
8. Aseza Hele – 11 tests, 25 points (5 tries)
7. Rights Mkhari – 7 tests, 35 points (7 tries)
6. Sizophila Solontsi – 11 tests, 25 points (5 tries)
5. Catha Jacobs – 5 tests
4. Nolusindiso Booi (captain) – 28 tests, 10 points (2 tries)
3. Babalwa Latsha – 15 tests, 10 points (2 tries)
2. Lindelwa Gwala – 15 tests, 10 points (2 tries)
1. Asithandile Ntoyanto – 10 tests, 10 points (2 tries)
Replacements:
16. Roseline Botes – 3 tests
17. Yonela Ngxingolo – 15 tests, 5 points (1 try)
18. Monica Mazibukwana – 2 tests
19. Lerato Makua – 3 tests
20. Lusanda Dumke – 14 tests, 20 points (4 tries)
21. Rumandi Potgieter – 1 test
22. Zenay Jordaan – 31 tests, 79 points (10 tries; 10 conversions; 3 penalty goals)
23. Chuma Qawe – 2 tests
