SA Rugby has named a 27-player SA U18 Girls squad for the forthcoming international series against their age-group counterparts from the Netherlands in Stellenbosch, with the return of the team from Europe providing another significant step in the growth and development of the women’s game in South Africa.
The squad forms part of the national pathway designed to expose the country’s most promising young female players to high-performance environments and international rugby.
The South Africans will face their Dutch rivals in two fixtures on 4 and 9 December 2026. Six players who featured in the corresponding matches last year, are back in the squad – Isipho Dungelo, Likhona Masiza, Nokulinda Makhubela, Asive Gaqa, Naylha Jansen, and Jessie Schoeman.
Players from eight different provincial unions have been included in the squad, all of whom have impressed throughout the season at school and provincial level. Several squad members were also recognised earlier this year when SA Rugby announced its first-ever SA Schools Girls teams following a successful FNB U18 Girls Week in Gqeberha.
Natasha Hofmeester, who coached the SA Schools Girls team in July, has been appointed as head coach, with Catherine Lowane and Rumandi Potgieter named as assistant coaches, while the experienced age-group coach Katleho Lynch has been named as coaching mentor.
The squad emerged from a wider group of 53 players selected from 34 high schools across 12 provincial unions. Those players were identified through SA Rugby’s age-group structures and development programmes and attended a preparatory camp in Riebeek Kasteel before the international series.
SA Rugby CEO Rian Oberholzer described the two-match series as a fantastic opportunity for the girls to experience international rugby and to measure themselves against quality opposition.
“We have selected a talented group of players who have worked hard to earn this opportunity, and we are excited to see how they respond to the challenge,” said Oberholzer.
“One of the key objectives is to continue preparing these players for the next stages of the national pathway. The growth of the women’s game in South Africa has created opportunities that did not exist a few years ago, and the players selected in this squad have the chance to be part of an exciting future.
“The matches against the Netherlands will provide valuable learning experiences both on and off the field, and we are looking forward to seeing the group come together during the camp and international series,” added Oberholzer.
SA U18 Girls squad:
Props: Isipho Dungelo (Western Province), Rethabile Kubequ (Golden Lions), Likhona Masiza (Western Province), Zeyaan Majiet (Western Province).
Hookers: Silakhe Masizana (Eastern Province), Shanelia Heugh (Western Province).
Locks: Sinelizwi Rasmeni (Western Province), Lisakhanya Kaptain (Eastern Province), Nommah Sandifolo (Western Province), Nokulinda Makhubela (Pumas).
Loose forwards: Asive Gaqa (Western Province), Palesa Nqadini (Eastern Province), Inga Jim (Western Province), Oratile Finyade (Pumas), Surrender Chauke (Blue Bulls Limpopo).
Halfbacks: Imange Norayase (Border), Maira Hlatshwayo (Blue Bulls), Zusiphe Mthembu (Sharks), Angel Nxasane (Pumas).
Centres: Endinako Fihla (Western Province), Naylha Jansen (SWD), Jessie Schoeman (Western Province).
Outside backs: Liyabona Kali (Border), Alicia de Klerk (Western Province), Chariva Visagie (Eastern Province), Raylee Phathakge (Pumas), Keira Snyman (SA Rugby).
Spitfire
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