Springbok Women performance coach Swys de Bruin has named a squad featuring 32 players to take on the Black Ferns XV in two matches in Cape Town in what will be South Africa’s final preparation for the Rugby World Cup, that starts in England next month.
The two matches against the touring New Zealand side will both be played at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, with kick-off scheduled for 17h00 on 26 July and 2 August. Tickets to the matches are available from Quicket – click here.
De Bruin added six players to the group that concluded their two-Test series against Canada in Pretoria and Gqeberha, with the recall of Vainah Ubisi the most significant.
Ubisi just completed the final stages of her rehabilitation following knee surgery early in the year and the lock, who has been capped 18 times since 2023, should make her first appearance of the year for the national team in one of the two matches.
Four players who formed part of the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup winning group, Mary Zulu, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Anathi Qolo and Faith Tshauke, rejoin the squad as well as Maceala Samboya, who toured France and Spain with the team earlier this year.
The squad consists of 13 backs and 19 forwards, and De Bruin said the new players will have no problems slotting back in.
“We are very close to our final Rugby World Cup squad and those six joining the group all have played and toured with us in the past,” said De Bruin.
“They are up to date with all our plays and structures, so we can get our hands dirty from our first session on Monday, to be best prepared for the two matches.
“I am happy to see Vainah back in the mix as well. She is one of the best in her position in the game and we followed her rehabilitation with interest. Credit to all the medical staff involved, who helped her on the way.”
De Bruin admitted that the Black Ferns XV will provide a very stiff challenge: “They have the whole bag of tricks in their squad. There are Blacks Ferns players who will be on the standby list for Rugby World Cup selection, a strong group of players who have good experience in their Super Rugby Aupiki tournament, and some very promising youngsters coming through the ranks.
“We need to be tested in all areas of our game, so welcome that. Canada did provide clarity on some of our work-ons and this Black Ferns XV team will hopefully do the same.”
Springbok Women squad for the Black Ferns XV matches:
Forwards: (19)
Sanelisiwe Charlie (Bulls Daisies) – 26 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Yonela Ngxingolo (Bulls Daisies) – 35 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
Babalwa Latsha (unattached) – 36 caps, 30 points (6 tries)
Azisa Mkiva (DHL Western Province) – 14 caps, 0 points
Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies) – 5 caps, 0 points
Micke Gunter (unattached) – 13 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Luchell Hanekom (DHL Western Province) – 9 caps, 0 points
Roseline Botes (DHL Western Province) – 23 caps, 45 points (9 tries)
Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women) – 19 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Nolusindiso Booi (captain, DHL Western Province) – 52 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Nomsa Mokwai (DHL Western Province) –13 caps, 0 points
Vainah Ubisi (Bulls Daisies) – 18 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
Anathi Qolo (Bulls Daisies) – 9 caps, 0 points
Sinazo Mcatshulwa (unattached) – 38 caps, 55 points (11 tries)
Lerato Makua (Bulls Daisies) – 15 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
Catha Jacobs (unattached) – 22 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Aseza Hele (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 28 caps, 65 points (13 tries)
Sizophila Solontsi (Bulls Daisies)- 28 caps, 45 points (9 tries)
Faith Tshauke (Bulls Daisies) – 3 caps, 15 points (3 tries)
Backs: (13)
Byrhandré Dolf (Bulls Daisies) – 22 caps, 37 points (7 tries, 1 conversion)
Jakkie Cilliers (Bulls Daisies) – 19 caps, 71 points (4 tries, 21 conversions, 3 penalty goals)
Ayanda Malinga (Bulls Daisies) – 13 caps, 65 points (13 tries)
Maceala Samboya (Sanlam Boland Dames) – 4 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Zintle Mpupha (Bulls Daisies) – 26 caps, 106 points (20 tries, 3 conversions)
Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Bulls Daisies) – 27 caps, 209 points (12 tries, 55 conversions, 12 penalties, 1 drop goal)
Chumisa Qawe (Bulls Daisies) – 22 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies) – 27 caps, 60 points (12 tries)
Eloise Webb (Border Ladies) – 17 caps, 30 points (6 tries)
Mary Zulu (Sharks Women) – 15 caps, 40 points (20 conversions)
Unam Tose (Bulls Daisies)- 27 caps, 12 points (2 tries, 1 conversion)
Nadine Roos (Springbok Women’s Sevens) – 18 caps, 35 points (5 tries, 5 conversions)
Tayla Kinsey (Sharks Women) – 40 caps, 53 points (3 tries, 16 conversions, 2 penalty goals)
Smartiequest
The modern game was born at a school in Warwickshire – Rugby’s most widely accepted origin takes us back to 1839, where a Warwickshire Rugby School student, William Webb Ellis, came up with the game by picking up a regular football and charging at the opposing team’s goal. A formal set of rules would be made later that year. Also, another interesting fact about rugby for you – the Rugby World Cup trophy is called the William Webb Ellis trophy after the man who invented the game!
Liquid Death
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.