Following a physical opening test at Ellis Park, USA Women’s Eagles Head Coach Jack Hanratty and staff have shifted the starting lineup for this weekend’s matchday 23 to face the Springbok Women again, this time at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.
Last Saturday, the USA rallied after a tough opening, finding their rhythm in the latter half to score three tries. Notably, debutants Ashley Cowdrey and Elizabeth Cook both scored their first international tries, while Freda Tafuna scored the first and Bella Vogel slotted all three conversions. Building on that second-half momentum, Hanratty has shuffled the deck for the tour finale.
Elizabeth Cook comes into the front row at tighthead prop after her standout try-scoring performance off the bench. In the second row, Emerson Allen joins Hallie Taufoou while Hann Humphreys steps into the flanker position, joining forces with Freda Tafuna and captain Georgie Perris-Redding in the back row.
A revamped halfback pairing sees Olivia Ortiz start at scrumhalf alongside Kristin Bitter at flyhalf, with Bella Vogel moving to inside center with Tessa Hann at 13. The backline shifts see Telesi Uhatafe move to the wing, Ashley Cowdrey shifting to fullback, and Bulou Mataitoga at 14. Chloe Hill-Huse who currently plays for Sunnybank Rugby Club has been selected for the second act poised to make her USA debut.
Hanratty commented on the squad adjustments and the lessons carried over from Ellis Park;
“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.”
“This group is brilliant at learning from moments and we learned a lot on Saturday. The challenge now will be how much we learned from this week of learning”.
The match will kick off this Saturday, July 11th at 7:30 am on Paramount+. Fans can replay last week’s action from Johannesburg via RugbyPassTV.
| Position | Name | Caps |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Hope Rogers | 62 |
| 2 | Kathryn Treder | 38 |
| 3 | Elizabeth Cook | 1 |
| 4 | Emerson Allen | 3 |
| 5 | Hallie Taufoou | 34 |
| 6 | Hann Humphreys | 4 |
| 7 | Georgie Perris-Redding (C) | 22 |
| 8 | Freda Tafuna | 21 |
| 9 | Olivia Ortiz | 31 |
| 10 | Kristin Bitter | 11 |
| 11 | Telesi Uhatafe | 4 |
| 12 | Bella Vogel | 4 |
| 13 | Tessa Hann | 6 |
| 14 | Bulou Mataitoga | 32 |
| 15 | Ashley Cowdrey | 1 |
| 16 | Chloe Hill-Huse* | Debut |
| 17 | Alivia Leatherman | 14 |
| 18 | Reece Woods | 4 |
| 19 | Rachel Ehrecke | 27 |
| 20 | Kapoina Bailey | 5 |
| 21 | Taina Tukuafu | 14 |
| 22 | Katana Howard | 26 |
| 23 | Alev Kelter | 37 |
Sat, July 4: USA vs. South Africa (L) 43-21
Ellis Park, Johannesburg
Sat, July 11: USA vs. South Africa
7:30 am ET | Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Jack Hanratty | Head Coach
Sarah Chobot | Assistant Coach
Lou Meadows | Assistant Coach
Jon Humphreys | Assistant Coach
Michael Deasy | Head of Athletic Performance
Sam Malette | Lead Athletic Trainer
Mia Pelton | Athletic Trainer
Abigail Hamilton | Team Physician
Hannah Reid | Team Manager
Rudy Betancourt | Videographer
USA vs Italy - 5:00pm CT
Saturday October 17th - Texas Health Mansfield Stadium, Mansfield, TX
USA vs Italy - 3:15pm ET
Saturday October 24th - GEODIS Park, Nashville, TN
USA vs England - 5:15pm ET
Friday October 30th - Sports Illustrated Stadium, Newark, NJ
