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)
The Howling Swede
Sachin Tendulkar played for Pakistan before India – Can you imagine Sachin Tendulkar playing for Pakistan before India? This happened during a practice match between India and Pakistan at the Brabourne Stadium in 1987 where Tendulkar came on the field as a substitute fielder for Pakistan.
Atomic Blastoid
England is the only team in the northern hemisphere to have won the Rugby World Cup – Given the game’s origins in England, statistically southern hemisphere teams are wayyyyyyy better at rugby. In total there have been 9 Rugby World Cups. New Zealand have won 3, South Africa have won 3, Australia have won it twice, and England are the only team in the northern hemisphere to have won it. Maybe the Rugby World Cup 2023 hosted in France will be another win for a European team though!