The Eagles head to Pretoria looking to finish their South African tour on a high after making six changes to the side that showed encouraging signs in last week’s second half.
By The Rugby Fan Central Team
The USA Women’s Eagles have made six changes to their starting XV for Saturday’s second Test against South Africa in Pretoria, with Head Coach Jack Hanratty rewarding players who impressed off the bench during last week’s 43-21 defeat at Ellis Park.
Rather than overhauling his squad, Hanratty has backed the players who helped change the momentum in Johannesburg, signaling confidence in the Eagles’ growing depth as they look to finish the tour on a positive note.
Although South Africa controlled much of the opening Test, the Eagles responded with their best rugby after halftime, scoring three tries and showing the attacking confidence the coaching staff hopes to see for a full 80 minutes in Pretoria.
Saturday’s rematch will provide a clearer measure of how quickly this group can turn encouraging performances into consistent results against top-level opposition as preparations continue toward next year’s Rugby World Cup.
USA Women’s Eagles Matchday 23
Impact Earns Opportunity
The selections tell a clear story.
Rather than reacting dramatically to defeat, Hanratty has rewarded the players who made the biggest impact when introduced from the bench.
Elizabeth Cook earns her first Test start after scoring on debut, while Emerson Allen, Hann Humphreys, Olivia Ortiz, Kristin Bitter and Tessa Hann all move into the starting lineup following impressive performances in Johannesburg.
The changes reflect a coaching staff rewarding execution rather than reputation while continuing to build healthy competition throughout the squad.
Looking ahead to the rematch, Hanratty said the focus throughout the week has been on delivering a complete performance.
“Ellis Park delivered the challenge we expected from South Africa. They opened with ferocity and intent and we didn’t match it. We had some good impact from some of our less experienced players but ultimately it was moments and not momentum.”
“Looking ahead at Pretoria, our focus all week has been on executing excellence and delivering for the full 80 minutes, and we’re excited to see this group chase the result we know we are capable of.”
Fresh Combinations in the Backline
Several positional adjustments provide the Eagles with a new attacking shape.
Kristin Bitter steps into the No. 10 jersey, allowing Bella Vogel to move to inside centre where her passing and kicking game can create opportunities further wide.
Ashley Cowdrey, who scored on her international debut last weekend, shifts from the wing to fullback, while Telesi Uhatafe and Bulou Mataitoga complete an athletic back three capable of threatening South Africa in transition.
Combined with Olivia Ortiz’s return at scrum-half, the reshaped backline should provide quicker service from the base, greater variety in the kicking game and more width across the outside channels.
Springboks Looking to Complete the Sweep
South Africa has retained much of the side that controlled the opening Test as it looks to complete a two-match series sweep on home soil.
Captain Babalwa Latsha once again leads a powerful forward pack, while fly-half Libbie Janse van Rensburg remains the architect of the Springbok attack.
Expect South Africa to again rely on its physicality through the forwards, quick ruck speed and intelligent territorial kicking before stretching the Eagles with pace and width out wide.
For the USA, matching that intensity from kickoff will be critical.
Four Battles That Could Decide the Match
The Set-Piece Battle
Hope Rogers, Kathryn Treder and Elizabeth Cook face one of the toughest assignments in international rugby.
Improving scrum stability and lineout accuracy will provide the platform the Eagles need to attack rather than defend deep inside their own half.
The Breakdown Battle
Captain Georgie Perris-Redding and Freda Tafuna will once again be central to slowing South Africa’s quick ruck ball.
Winning collisions and disrupting possession will be crucial if the Eagles hope to limit the Springboks’ attacking rhythm.
Fly-Half Chess Match
Kristin Bitter makes her first Test start at No. 10 against one of the Southern Hemisphere’s most influential playmakers.
Libbie Janse van Rensburg controlled territory expertly in Johannesburg. Bitter’s challenge will be matching that tactical control while forcing South Africa to attack from deeper areas of the field.
Ashley Cowdrey Under the High Ball
After an impressive debut on the wing, Cowdrey moves to fullback.
Her positioning under the high ball and ability to launch counterattacks could become one of the Eagles’ biggest attacking weapons if South Africa once again looks to play for territory.
Three Areas the Eagles Must Improve
Start Faster
South Africa dominated the opening quarter in Johannesburg.
The Eagles cannot afford another slow start.
Reduce Turnovers
Limiting handling errors and protecting possession will deny South Africa the transition opportunities it capitalized on during the first Test.
Win the Territory Battle
Smart exits and disciplined kicking can force South Africa to build attacks from deeper inside its own half rather than continually playing in USA territory.
Women’s Elite Rugby’s Growing Influence
Women’s Elite Rugby continues to strengthen its role as the domestic pathway to the USA Women’s Eagles, with five current WER players selected in Saturday’s matchday 23.
Starting XV
- Bulou Mataitoga — Bay Breakers
- Telesi Uhatafe — Bay Breakers
Replacements
- Rachel Ehrecke — Denver Onyx
- Kapoina Bailey — Denver Onyx
- Taina Tukuafu — Bay Breakers
Several of those players are expected to provide impact once again, highlighting WER’s growing contribution to the national team.
Rugby Fan Central explored that connection earlier this week in From WER to the Eagles, examining how Women’s Elite Rugby’s latest roster and staffing updates reflect the league’s expanding role in developing USA internationals.
Player to Watch
Elizabeth Cook
Few international debuts could have been more memorable.
Coming off the bench in Johannesburg, Cook crossed for her first Test try and immediately demonstrated why the coaching staff has such confidence in her.
Saturday presents a different challenge.
Now making her first international start, Cook has the opportunity to show she can bring that same physicality and work rate across a full 80 minutes against one of the world’s most formidable forward packs.
By the Numbers
- 43–21 — South Africa won the opening Test.
- 6 — Changes to the USA starting XV.
- 3 — USA tries scored in Johannesburg.
- 1 — Chloe Hill-Huse could earn her first USA cap.
- 5 — Current WER players selected in the USA matchday 23.
Match Information
Fixture: South Africa vs USA Women’s Eagles
Competition: International Test Match
Venue: Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Date: Saturday, July 11
Kickoff
- 7:30 AM ET
- 6:30 AM CT
- 5:30 AM MT
- 4:30 AM PT
Watch Live: Paramount+
RFC Prediction
South Africa deserved its victory in Johannesburg, particularly through its forward dominance and territorial control during the opening half.
But the Eagles left Ellis Park with genuine reasons for optimism. Their second-half response showed improved cohesion, sharper attacking execution and the resilience expected of a squad continuing to grow on the international stage.
If the USA can withstand South Africa’s early physical challenge, reduce turnovers and establish territory through a smarter kicking game, it has every chance of producing a much closer contest than the opening Test suggested.
A victory would represent a significant statement on the road. Even if the result doesn’t fall the Eagles’ way, another disciplined performance against one of the Southern Hemisphere’s emerging powers would mark another encouraging step in the squad’s continued development.
Related Coverage
From WER to the Eagles: How Women’s Elite Rugby Is Strengthening the USA Women’s National Team
Five current Women’s Elite Rugby players have been named in the USA Women’s Eagles matchday 23 for Saturday’s Test against South Africa, highlighting the growing connection between the domestic professional league and the national team.
Earlier this week, Rugby Fan Central examined how WER’s latest roster and staffing updates reflect the league’s expanding role in developing players and coaches for international rugby in From WER to the Eagles: How Women’s Elite Rugby Is Strengthening the USA Women’s National Team
Watch the First Test
Missed last week’s opening Test in Johannesburg?
Watch the full match replay to see the performances that earned several Eagles—including Elizabeth Cook and Ashley Cowdrey—their opportunities in Saturday’s rematch.
➡ Watch: USA Women’s Eagles vs South Africa – Full Match Replay
Further Reading
USA Rugby has also published its official squad announcement, including the full matchday 23, tour information and Head Coach Jack Hanratty’s comments ahead of Saturday’s Test.
Official USA Rugby article: USA Women’s Eagles in South Africa, Take 2
