Springbok Women step up WXV preparations

Springbok Women interim head coach Louis Koen invited 34 players to a training camp in Potchefstroom as the squad start the next phase of preparations for the new WXV tournament, to be held in Stellenbosch and Cape Town next month.

A two-week alignment camp in Stellenbosch finished last weekend and yielded good progress with a core group of players. The squad will be boosted by 19 players from the Bulls Daisies and DHL Western Province, all of whom enjoyed a short break after the SA Rugby Women’s Premier Division final last month.

The squad will arrive in Potchefstroom on Monday afternoon and will have their first training session on Tuesday. WXV 2 will be hosted in Stellenbosch and Cape Town from 13 to 28 October.

Amongst the Daisies call-ups, only forward Sinelitha Noxeke has not donned the Springbok Women jersey before, while DHL WP outside back Veroeshka Grain was recalled to the national set-up.

Chumisa Qawe, who picked up a knee injury in the final which has ruled her out of action for the rest of the year, will not join the squad at the NWU Sports Village.

Qawe captained the Bok Women at the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Madagascar earlier this year but will be sidelined alongside fellow Africa Cup winners Nomawethu Mabenge (knee), Sizophila Solontsi, Azisa Mkiva and Asiphe Mayaba (all ankle injuries). Aphiwe Ngwevu (shoulder) will also miss the WXV.

Koen said the objectives of week one of the camp will be to integrate the players from Pretoria and Cape Town to the game plan and team structure. They will also meet new assistant forward coach, Franzel September, for the first time.

“We don’t have much time left before the WXV 2 starts, so this week will be about bringing everyone together again,” said Koen.

“It will be important for everyone to get onto the same page with regards to the team culture and game plan, as well as their roles and responsibilities as expected from the coaching staff. We will use the opportunity to refresh and recharge our goals as we ultimately prepare for what will be a tough challenge in the WXV.”

Springbok Women training squad: Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Aliyah Tchogna Njamen, Piwokuhle Nyanda (all Mastercard Golden Lions Women), Roseline Botes, Nolusindiso Booi, Danelle Lochner, Luchell Hanekom, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Veroeshka Grain, Chuma Qawe (all DHL Western Province), Nompumelelo Mathe, Tayla Kinsey, Mary Zulu (all Sharks Women), Catha Jacobs (Leicester Tigers Women), Babalwa Latsha, Aseza Hele (Harlequins Women), Amber Schonert (Sale Sharks Women), Samantha Els (New York Rugby Club), Lindelwa Gwala (Ealing Trailfinders), Asithandile Ntoyanto, Micke Gunter, Yonela Ngxingolo, Vainah Ubisi, Lusanda Dumke, Lerato Makua, Sinelitha Noxeke, Rumandi Potgieter, Unam Tose, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Unathi Mali, Jakkie Cilliers, Byrhandre Dolf (all Bulls Daisies), Sanelisiwe Charlie (EP Queens), Machaela Samboya (Boland Dames).