Bayfield’s inclusion on the bench is one of several changes to Whitney Hansen’s side from the group that beat Australia’s Wallaroos in Auckland late last month.
There are two changes to the starting side, with Mia Anderson starting at blindside flanker and Hannah King steering the ship in the No 10 jersey with Ruahei Demant on the bench.
Anderson joins the starting side in place of Kaipo Olsen-Baker, who was unavailable with a shoulder injury suffered late in the win over the Wallaroos, which led to Liana Mikaele-Tu’u shifting from blindside to the back of the scrum.
On the bench, Bayfield provides locking cover and Amarante Sititi, who was the lock cover last time out, is the loose forward option.
Halfback Tara Turner, who was unavailable for the test against the Wallaroos because of injury, returns to provide cover for Maia Joseph. Hooker Atlanta Lolohea and utility back Justine McGregor are also included on the bench, in place of Vici-Rose Green and Shyrah Tuliau-Tua’a respectively.
The test will be the second of eight on the Black Ferns’ end-of-year schedule, with tests away to Scotland, France and England to come, before hosting France for a three-test series later in the year.
“It’s really making our rugby identity come alive and allowing us to challenge ourselves more against the best in the world,” King said of the Black Ferns’ extended test schedule this season.
“Coming across to South Africa, it’s pretty insane to be part of this historic test so we’re really excited to go out there, have some fun and go against this physical Springbok Women’s team.”
Black Ferns v Springboks Women
Saturday, September 5. 11.30pm kickoff (NZT).
Black Ferns: 1. Chryss Viliko, 2. Georgia Ponsonby (cc), 3. Veisinia Mahutariki-Fakalelu, 4. Maiakawanakaulani Roos, 5. Maama Mo’onia Vaipulu, 6. Mia Anderson, 7. Elinor-Plum King, 8. Liana Mikaele-Tu’u, 9. Maia Joseph, 10. Hannah King, 11. Ayesha Leti-I’iga, 12. Logo-I-Pulotu Lemapu-Atai’i Sylvia Brunt, 13. Amy Du Plessis, 14. Mererangi Paul, 15. Braxton Sorensen-McGee.
Bench: 16. Atlanta Lolohea, 17. Maddison Robinson, 18. Santo Taumata, 19. Laura Bayfield, 20. Amarante Sititi, 21. Tara Turner, 22. Ruahei Demant (cc), 23. Justine McGregor.
Unavailable: Kaipo Olsen-Baker (shoulder).
Christopher Reive joined the Herald sports team in 2017, bringing the same versatility to his coverage as he does to his sports viewing habits.
