Springbok Women utility forwards Catha Jacobs and Lerato Makua will join their national teammates in Stellenbosch on Sunday for a week-long training camp at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport, the fourth such assembly in 2025 as the team build towards the Rugby World Cup in England later this year.
Jacobs is the first England-based player to join the training squad this year as her club commitments with Leicester Tigers Women have been completed, but the Harlequins duo of Babalwa Latsha and Danelle Lochner and Ealing Trailfinders’ Lindelwa Gwala are not expected back in South Africa for at least another month, as is France-based Sinazo Mcatshulwa.
Makua, who last donned the Green and Gold at the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Madagascar in 2023, has successfully completed her rehabilitation following knee surgery last year.
Jacobs, with 19 test caps to her name, missed a chunk of the English league with a hamstring injury, but she is now in the final phase of recovery.
“I will be able to do most of what is expected at the camp, with only some contact integration drills still needed to be done,” confirmed Jacobs.
“It is great to be back in the country and to join up with the group again. Speaking to players from other countries playing in the Premiership, they all agree the Bok Women are on the up and improving all the time and that is a complement for the hard work being done over the last couple of seasons by players and coaches alike.”
With the Women’s Premier Division having a bye next weekend, the national coaches will be able to add physical intensity to the alignment principals during the camp.
Nadine Roos, Zintle Mpupha, Alicia Willemse and Ayanda Malinga will not attend the camp as they have been called into the Springbok Women’s Sevens group for the Challenger Series, while Lusanda Dumke is injured and Chumisa Qawe has a family bereavement.
Springbok Women training camp squad: Azisa Mkiva, Luchell Hanekom, Nolusindiso Booi, Nomsa Mokwai, Roseline Botes, Logan Welman (all DHL Western Province); Aphiwe Ngwevu, Eloise Webb, Nombuyekezo Mdliki (all Border), Anathi Qolo, Byrhandrѐ Dolf, Patience Mokone, Dineo Ndhlovu, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Faith Tshauke, Jakkie Cilliers, Lerato Makua, Micke Gunter, Sanelisiwe Charlie, Sizophila Solontsi, Unam Tose, Yonela Ngxingolo (all Bulls Daisies); Mary Zulu, Tayla Kinsey (both Sharks Women); Aseza Hele, Veroeshka Grain, Nomawethu Mabenge, Maceala Samboya (all Sanlam Boland Dames); Catha Jacobs (Leicester Tigers Women).