Koen: Bok Women camps bear fruit as tour looms

Springbok Women coach Louis Koen named a training squad of 30 players to attend a final camp in Cape Town from Sunday 3 March, with the touring squad to Europe due to be finalised the following day.

The tour will feature training sessions against Scotland and Wales before the Bok Women take on Spain and the United States of America in two tests.

Apart from the local contingent, Koen indicated that six overseas-based players currently plying their trade in the Allianz Premiership in England will also be considered for the tour.

“We concluded a second camp for the year on Wednesday and I am very pleased with the progress,” said Koen.

“The focus at the beginning of January for this group was conditioning and after two camps, we made good strides in that regard.

“During the second camp, players from the Bulls Daisies also joined our squad, so we could focus more on rugby specifics and some systems we want to put in place.”

Koen said the fact that some younger players were invited, especially for the first camp, paid dividends as the coaches could work with them and the players could experience firsthand what was expected of them as national players.

Springbok assistant coaches Daan Human, Deon Davids and Mzwandile Stick also took charge of some sessions and their input was well received by all.

“Their help was greatly appreciated and it also helped us to broaden our base a bit, as more players were exposed to their input,” said Koen.

“We have now wrapped up our preparations, with next month’s holding camp shortly before the tour a final opportunity to iron out issues before we travel. The group to assemble is a nice mix of young and old and some without any test match experience.

“We invited 30 players to the camp and can also call on our six overseas-based player for the trip. We are taking 32 players on tour in total for what will be another great opportunity for the team to grow and learn.”

THE SPRINGBOK WOMEN TRAINING SQUAD: Rumandi Potgieter, Jakkie Cilliers, Sanelisiwe Charlie, Micke Gunter, Vainah Ubisi, Sinelitha Noxeke, Anathi Qolo, Byrhandre Dolf (all Bulls Daisies), Roseline Botes, Asiphe Mayaba, Asiza Mkiva, Nolusindiso Booi, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Nomsa Mokwai, Alicia Willemse (all DHL Western Province), Mary Zulu, Tayla Kinsey (both Hollywoodbets Sharks Women), Sikholiwe Mdletshe, Amahle Nyoba (Free State Women), Olwethu Kasibe (EP Queens), Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies), Macaela Samboya, Veroeskha Grain, Chuma Qawe, Nompumelelo Mathe, Nokubonga Siko (all Sanlam Boland Dames), Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Aliyah Tchogna Njamen, Piwokuhle Nyanda (all Mastercard Golden Lions Women), Samantha Els (unattached).

Overseas-based players to be considered for the tour are: Babalwa Latsha, Danelle Lochner, Asiza Hele (all Harlequins Women), Amber Schonert (Sale Sharks Women), Catha Jacobs (Leicester Tigers Women), Lindelwa Gwala (Ealing Trailfinders Women).