Nolusindiso Booi will lead a Springbok Women squad with eight potential debutants to Europe later this month – including a number of younger players and a former South African netball player – for tests against Canada and Spain in Madrid.
Booi captained the Springbok Women to the Rugby World Cup in New Zealand last year and a strong core of that campaign will again form part of the team, while five players, who represented the Junior Springbok Women last year, are among the uncapped group.
Byrhandre Dolf captained the Junior Springbok Women from the flyhalf position against Zimbabwe U20s in Potchefstroom last year, with Mary Zulu starting at inside centre and Asiphe Mayaba on the left wing.
Lock Vainah Ubisi, who was vice-captain in Potchefstroom, has also being included in the group that will depart South Africa on Wednesday 15 March, as well as tighthead prop Lebogang Ralebona, who scored two tries in their 55-0 victory.
The inclusion of the five Junior Boks points to a strong focus to bring in new players as the journey towards the Rugby World Cup in 2025 gets underway.
Shaunique Hess, and outside back who represented Boland Dames and DHL Western Province in recent seasons in the Women’s Premier Division, is also a first time traveller in Green and Gold, while the Cape duo of Danelle Lochner (lock) and Luchell Hanekom (hooker) will also join the tour to Europe.
Hanekom was part of the Springbok Women’s RWC training squad last year and was on the bench against Zimbabwe during the 2022 Africa Cup, but she didn’t get any game time, while Lochner could become a dual code international, having represented the Proteas Netball side before a switch to rugby last year.
South Africa will play Canada in Madrid on Saturday 25 March, followed by a test against the hosts at the same venue on 1 April. Both matches will take place at the Estadio Nacional de la Universidad Complutense. The squad will first train against Wales in London on 18 March before travelling to Madrid.
• The coaching and management staff for the tour will be announced next week.
SQUAD:
Backs:Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies), Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Unam Tose, Rumandi Potgieter, Jakkie Cilliers, Byrhandre Dolf* (Bulls Daisies), Mary Zulu*, Tayla Kinsey (Cell C Sharks Women), Nomawethu Mabenge (EP Queens), Chumisa Qawe, Asiphe Mayaba*, Shaunique Hess* (DHL Western Province).
Forwards:Aseza Hele (Boland Dames), Lerato Makua, Lebogang Ralebona*, Lusanda Dumke, Yonela Ngxingolo, (Bulls Daisies), Lindelwa Gwala, Nompumelelo Mathe (Cell C Sharks Women), Sanelisiwe Charlie (EP Queens), Vainah Ubisi* (Mastercard Golden Lions Women), Nolusindiso Booi (captain), Azisa Mkiva, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Roseline Botes, Luchell Hanekom*, Donelle Lochner* (DHL Western Province), Babalwa Latsha (Harlequins Women), Catha Jacobs (Saracens Women).