Lusanda Dumke, a former SA Women’s Player of the Year, has been included in the Springbok Women’s squad of 30 players for WXV 2, to be played in Cape Town from 27 September to 13 October, while Maria Tshiremba has also been included in the group.
Springbok Women performance coach Swys de Bruin decided to rope in Tshiremba, who has played at international level before, for the Springbok Women’s Sevens team. The Bulls Daisies speedster is the only uncapped player in the squad.
Neither were involved in Thursday’s 36-19 victory over Spain at the DHL Stadium in Cape Town, the same venue where South Africa will face Japan on Friday in their WXV 2 opener.
Dumke has recovered from a foot injury sustained in the Women’s Premier Division final, where she captained the Bulls Daisies to a second title in as many years, while Tshiremba’s inclusion comes after Shaunique Hess (wing) suffered a hand fracture against Spain, ruling her out of the tournament.
“It is great to have Lusanda fit and ready to go,” said De Bruin. “She has massive experience and brings not only a wonderful breakdown ability to the squad, but strong leadership as well.
“It was unfortunate for Shaunique to sustain the injury so close to WXV, but that opens the door for Maria, who really impressed me since she joined the squad almost five weeks ago and her sheer pace will be a factor. We were lucky to have a small group of standby players with us in Cape Town, so Maria could slot in the moment Shaunique’s injury was confirmed.
“I am pleased with the squad, I think we have a good mix of forward power and play-making ability amongst the backs to be very competitive when we face Japan, Australia and Italy in the coming weeks.”
In total, 18 of the group were part of the inaugural event last year, where South Africa played Scotland, Italy and Samoa to finish in third position.
Springbok Women’s WXV 2 fixtures:
South Africa v Japan
Date: Friday, 27 September
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 16h00
South Africa v Australia
Date: Saturday, 5 October
Venue: Athlone Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 17h00
South Africa v Italy
Date: Saturday, 12 October
Venue: Athlone Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 14h00
Springbok Women squad for WXV 2 2024:
Backs (14):
Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Bulls Daisies) – 23 caps, 204 points (11 tries, 55 conversions, 12 penalty goals, 1 drop goal)
Byrhandrè Dolf (Bulls Daisies) – 14 caps 15 points (3 tries)
Maceala Samboya (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 4 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Maria Tshiremba (Bulls Daisies) – uncapped
Ayanda Malinga (Bulls Daisies) – 8 Tests, 50 points (10 tries)
Jakkie Cilliers (Bulls Daisies) – 14 caps, 74 points (7 tries, 15 conversions, 3 penalty goals)
Zintle Mpupha (Bulls Daisies) – 21 caps, 101 points (19 tries, 3 conversions)
Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies) – 23 caps, 40 points (8 tries)
Eloise Webb (Border Ladies) – 11 caps, 30 points (6 tries)
Chumisa Qawe (Bulls Daisies) – 16 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
Nadine Roos (unattached) – 12 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Felicia Jacobs (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 6 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Tayla Kinsey (Sharks Women) – 36 caps, 48 points (2 tries, 16 conversions, 2 penalty goals)
Unam Tose (Bulls Daisies) – 20 Tests, 0 points
Forwards (16):
Aseza Hele (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 22 caps, 45 points (9 tries)
Sinazo Mcatshulwa (DHL Western Province) – 32 caps, 45 points (9 tries)
Sizophila Solontsi (Bulls Daisies) – 22 caps, 40 points (8 tries)
Lusanda Dumke (Bulls Daisies) – 30 caps, 50 points (10 tries)
Anathi Qolo (Bulls Daisies) – 4 caps, 0 points
Catha Jacobs (Leicester Tigers Women) – 16 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women) – 13 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Vainah Ubisi (Bulls Daisies) – 15 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
Nolusindiso Booi (captain, DHL Western Province) – 46 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Azisa Mkiva (DHL Western Province) – 10 caps, 0 points
Babalwa Latsha (Harlequins Women) – 30 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Sanelisiwe Charlie (Bulls Daisies) – 19 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Yonela Ngxingolo (Bulls Daisies) – 29 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Lindelwa Gwala (Ealing Trailfinders Women) – 33 caps, 70 points (14 tries)
Roseline Botes (DHL Western Province) – 20 caps, 45 points (9 tries)
Micke Gunter (Bulls Daisies) – 8 caps, 0 points)
Foot-long Fry
The first-ever rugby match took place between Scotland and England, with Scotland winning.
Impulse
Brian O’Driscoll, an Irish rugby legend, scored a record 46 tries in the Six Nations Championship and held the record for the most international appearances as captain (83) until being surpassed by Richie McCaw.