The Welsh Rugby Union has appointed former Wales Women captain Siwan Lillicrap as its new head of women's coaching and development, while South Africa head coach Rassie Erasmus has named his side for the final Test against the All Blacks.
Lillicrap takes on new WRU role
Lillicrap, who won 51 caps for Wales as a player, will deliver an aligned coaching and development system across the women's performance pathway for players aged between 14 and 24 in the newly created role. The 38-year-old previously served as the WRU's Pathway Manager for the three Player Development Centres established in 2023, as well as being Wales WU18s coach.
On her appointment, Lillicrap said: "I am incredibly excited to take on this new role and bring my passion, knowledge and experience to this next chapter of developing our women's and girl's pathway."
"I have thoroughly enjoyed the past three and a half years working with Wales U18s and as Performance Pathway Manager. During that time, we have seen our develop system develop and players transition successfully into senior environments, it has been hugely rewarding to play a small part in that journey."
"There is an exciting generation of young talent emerging in Wales, with enormous potential for the future," she added. "I hope to bring the critical learnings and experiences I have gained throughout my career into this new role, while continuing to support and challenge the next generation of players and coaches."
The union's technical director, Rhys Long, hailed the move as "a key appointment" which "recognises the rapid growth in playing numbers and coaches across the women's game in Wales". He said Lillicrap's experience of Welsh rugby "from almost every perspective gives her a unique understanding of the game and makes her exceptionally well placed to help guide our Welsh Rugby DNA".
Erasmus makes two changes for series finale
Erasmus has named his side to face the All Blacks in the final Test of the Rugby's Greatest Rivalry series in Baltimore, making just two changes to his starting side. Damian Willemse replaces the injured Cheslin Kolbe at full-back, and scrum-half Morne van den Berg comes in for Cobus Reinach, who drops to the replacements bench.
The Springboks lead the series 2-1 after a 29-24 victory in Soweto, and can only be caught by the All Blacks at best.
Erasmus said: "We feel that the team is well settled and all the players delivered in their respective roles in the last two matches, so we believe selecting the same matchday squad, and naming Damian back in his regular position, makes sense for the closing match of the series."
On the changes, he added: "Damian started the first two Tests and had it not been for a niggle last week, he would have also started that match, so it's good to have him back. He is a quality player, and he knows the guys around him very well, so it will simply be a matter of him picking up where he left off before last week."
South Africa: 15. Damian Willemse, 14. Kurt-Lee Arendse, 13. Jesse Kriel, 12. Damian de Allende, 11. Ethan Hooker, 10. Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, 9. Morne van den Berg, 8. Jasper Wiese, 7. Pieter-Steph du Toit, 6. Siya Kolisi (captain), 5. Ruan Nortje, 4. Eben Etzebeth, 3. Wilco Louw, 2. Malcolm Marx, 1. Ox Nche. Replacements: 16. Deon Fourie, 17. Gerhard Steenekamp, 18. Thomas du Toit, 19. Lood de Jager, 20. Andre Esterhuizen, 21. Cameron Hanekom, 22. Cobus Reinach, 23. Manie Libbok.
Lawes backs overseas selection change
England centurion Courtney Lawes has backed calls for restrictions on overseas players being selected for the national team to be lifted. The 37-year-old is in contention to add to his 105 international caps after returning from two seasons with French side Brive to sign a one-year deal with Sale Sharks.
Several French-based players, including Toulouse's Jack Willis, are currently unavailable to England boss Steve Borthwick due to selection being restricted to players at domestic clubs. Lawes told the BBC: "I can see why they do it because they don't want all their players playing abroad, but I don't think that's necessarily going to be the case anyway."
"It's important that you have the best players available for selection. If we want the game to develop and more people to watch it, I think it has to develop," he added. "I just reckon you make your best players available and by any means necessary. I don't see why you'd limit yourself."
Belcher confirmed as Cardiff captain
Wales hooker Liam Belcher has been confirmed as Cardiff Rugby's captain for the 2026/27 season. The 30-year-old was first appointed to the role ahead of the 2024/25 campaign and will lead the Arms Park side as the club celebrates its sesquicentennial season.
"It's a massive honour for me to continue leading this club, particularly in such a historically significant season," said Belcher, who has made 110 appearances for the Blue & Blacks. "Anyone playing for Cardiff is aware of the heritage and history here and there are so many great captains who have gone before me."
Head coach Corniel van Zyl added: "We've announced Liam as the captain for the season. He is a good person and has done a great job in the last couple of years."
