A group of 38 players assembled in Cape Town on Sunday for the next phase of the Springbok Women’s Rugby World Cup preparations, with the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Madagascar in early June the first assignment for the group, followed by test matches against Canada a month later.
Springbok Women Performance coach Swys de Bruin invited 47 players to the two-week camp, with nine players who are currently in Los Angeles with the Springbok Women’s Sevens, joining the squad next weekend.
The first week of camp will be in Newlands in Cape Town, and the second at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport (SAS) from 9-16 May.
“Following our successful tour to France and Spain, the next phase of our World Cup campaign now kicks off in all earnest,” said De Bruin.
“We had a good tour with most of our objectives met and we can start this phase more aligned as a group on what we want to achieve, while also getting a good look at our next group of players who will travel to Madagascar, expanding our depth in the process.”
A group of 28 will travel to the Rugby Africa event, while a group of senior players will remain at SAS for that time.
Among the new call-ups for this camp are DHL Western Province players Anuchka Ekron, Bronishia Hess and Anushka Groenewald, and the Sharks duo of Sinothile Bhengu and Amanda Ndlovu, while Anja le Roux and Logan Welman joined the camp from the Springbok Women’s Sevens training squad.
Ayanda Malinga, Nadine Roos, Zintle Mpupha, Rights Mkhari, Simamkele Namba, Leigh Fortuin, Felicia Jacobs, Alicia Willemse and Patience Mokone will join next weekend in Stellenbosch after returning from Los Angeles and the HSBC Play-Off tournament.
SQUAD:
FORWARDS (26): Xoliswa Khuzwayo (Golden Lions); Sinothile Bhengu, Amanda Ndlovu, Nobuhle Mjwara (all Sharks Women); Anuchka Ekron, Luchell Hanekom, Roseline Botes, Anushka Groenewald, Azisa Mkiva, Nolusindiso Booi, Nomsa Mokwai, Bronishia Hess (all DHL Western Province); Logan Welman (Springbok Women’s Sevens); Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies); Sanelisiwe Charlie, Yonela Ngxingolo, Dineo Ndlhovu, Anathi Qolo, Sizophila Solontsi, Faith Tshauke, Lerato Makua (all Bulls Daisies); Babalwa Latsha, Danelle Lochner (both Harlequins Women); Lindelwa Gwala (Ealing Trailfinders), Catha Jacobs (Leicester Tigers), Aseza Hele (Sanlam Boland Dames).
BACKS (12): Tayla Kinsey, Mary Zulu (both Sharks Women); Anja le Roux (Springbok Women’s Sevens); Aphiwe Ngwevu, Eloise Webb (both Border Ladies); Unam Tose, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Chumisa Qawe, Chuma Qawe, Jakkie Cilliers, Byrhandrѐ Dolf (all Bulls Daisies), Maceala Samboya, (Sanlam Boland Dames).