USA Women’s Eagles have reset their selection for Saturday’s second Test against South Africa, with Jack Hanratty making targeted changes after the 43-21 defeat at Ellis Park.
The clearest call is at tighthead, where Elizabeth Cook starts after scoring on debut from the bench last weekend. The USA staff have also moved Bella Vogel into midfield, paired Olivia Ortiz with Kristin Bitter at half-back, and shifted Ashley Cowdrey to full-back.
USA Rugby confirmed that Chloe Hill-Huse has been named among the replacements and is in line for her Test debut at Loftus Versfeld. Georgie Perris-Redding captains the side from the back row, where she starts alongside Hann Humphreys and Freda Tafuna.
Related media: USA Rugby’s official squad post on X.
Why Hanratty Has Changed The Picture
The selection reads less like a panic response than a demand for an 80-minute correction. USA finished the first Test with sharper rhythm, but the damage had already been done by South Africa’s early physical control.
That is why Cook’s promotion matters. It rewards bench impact, but it also asks the Eagles’ set-piece to meet the Springbok Women earlier, before the match tilts toward chase mode.
Hanratty’s midfield reshuffle carries the same message. Vogel’s move to inside centre gives the USA another distributor closer to contact, while Cowdrey’s switch to full-back keeps one of last week’s try-scorers in the spine of the side.
The rematch kicks off on Saturday, July 11 at 7:30am ET in Pretoria, with USA trying to turn last week’s late resistance into a genuine result.
