The Springbok Women concluded their training camp in Gqeberha on Friday and according to assistant coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt, they made big gains in the build-up to the forthcoming WXV 2 tournament in Cape Town next month.
Johannes-Haupt reflected on the hard work where 46 players prepared for two weeks to get ready for the Springbok Women’s first opportunity to play at home in 2024.
The #BokWomen have named a 36-player squad for their two matches in preparation of @WXVRugby - more here: https://t.co/UOhPFr7bZj 🏉#MakeItCount #ETTIG pic.twitter.com/cI5TU8TIWL
— SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) August 30, 2024
“It was great to have so many players, no doubt the best we have in the country, available for this camp and one can only thank all the stakeholders who made this possible,” said Johannes-Haupt.
Tuesday session done and it was a good one!
— SA Women's Rugby (@WomenBoks) August 27, 2024
Prep for @wxv going well. @FNBSA #ETTIG#MakeItCount #ComeWatchUsPlay pic.twitter.com/8Q4H9wXGlm
“It was really great to have all of them in camp and for the new coaching staff to work closely with them.”
She said it was also an ideal way for the new coaching team to align and work together. Swys de Bruin was named as Springbok Women performance coach earlier this month, with Bafana Nhleko added as backs and defence coach, joining incumbent forwards coaches Johannes-Haupt and Franzel September.
“We found each other very quickly and was on the same page almost from day one of camp,” said Johannes-Haupt. “There is good interaction in this coaching group, and we got a lot of detail done. I am also pleased with the progress on our fundamentals and the work done by our forwards.”
The scrum coach said the presence of a number of Springbok Women’s Sevens players also boosted the energy: “It is lovely to have them back, as we did not have access to them as they were playing in the world series earlier. They bring so much speed and energy to our team and it is really nice to have them back and available to play for us.”
The Bok Women face a star-studded Barbarians team next Saturday at DHL Stadium and will play Spain at the same venue on 19 September before they start their WXV 2 campaign against Japan on 27 September, also at DHL Stadium.
A squad of 36 players will assemble in Cape Town this weekend to prepare for the first two fixtures.
“Our focus over the last two weeks was all about ourselves and what we wanted to achieve as a squad,” she said.
“With that foundation done, we will start preparing for the Baabaas match in all earnest on Monday. They will be a real test for us. It is a match everyone is looking forward to, especially as we will share the match day experience with the Springboks.”
The match against the Barbarians will kick-off at 13h30 next Saturday and the Springboks/All Blacks encounter at 5pm.
Johannes-Haupt urges ticket holders to flock into the stadium early: “It would be lovely if people can come early to watch us play as well. This will be our first match at home this year and everyone is very excited about that.”
Springbok Women squad for Barbarians and Spain matches:
Forwards (19):
Lindelwa Gwala (Ealing Trailfinders Women) - 32 caps, 60 points (12 tries)
Micke Gunter (Bulls Daisies) - 8 caps, 0 points)
Roseline Botes (DHL Western Province) - 19 caps, 45 points (9 tries)
Sanelisiwe Charlie (Bulls Daisies) - 18 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Xoliswa Khuzwayo (Golden Lions Women) - 5 caps, 0 points
Yonela Ngxingolo (Bulls Daisies) - 28 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Azisa Mkiva (DHL Western Province) - 9 caps, 0 points
Babalwa Latsha (Harlequins Women) - 29 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies) – uncapped
Danelle Lochner (Harlequins Women) - 12 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Nolusindiso Booi (DHL Western Province) - 45 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Vainah Ubisi (Bulls Daisies) - 14 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Catha Jacobs (Leicester Tigers Women) - 15 caps, 5 points (1 try)
Anathi Qolo (Bulls Daisies) - 4 caps, 0 points
Aseza Hele (Sanlam Boland Dames) - 21 caps (40 points - 8 tries)
Sinazo Mcatshulwa (DHL Western Province) - 31 caps, 45 points (9 tries)
Sinelitha Noxeke (Bulls Daisies) – 2 caps, 0 points
Sizophila Solontsi (Bulls Daisies) - 21 caps, 40 points (8 tries)
Nobuhle Mjwara (Sharks Women) – uncapped
Backs (17):
Tayla Kinsey (Sharks Women) - 35 caps, 48 points (2 tries, 16 conversions, 2 penalty goals)
Felicia Jacobs (Sanlam Boland Dames) - 5 tests (5 points (1 try)
Unam Tose (Bulls Daisies) - 20 tests, 0 points
Libbie Janse van Rensburg (Bulls Daisies) - 22 caps, 199 points (10 tries), 55 conversions, 12 penalty goals, 1 drop goal)
Mary Zulu (Sharks Women) - 12 caps 14 points (7 conversions)
Nadine Roos (unattached) - 11 caps, 25 points (5 tries)
Aphiwe Ngwevu (Border Ladies) - 22 caps (40 points - 8 tries)
Chumisa Qawe (Bulls Daisies) - 15 tests, 15 points (3 tries)
Zintle Mpupha (Bulls Daisies) - 20 tests, 101 points (19 tries), 3 conversions
Jakkie Cilliers (Bulls Daisies) - 13 caps, 68 points (7 tries, 12 conversions, 3 penalty goals)
Maceala Samboya (Sanlam Boland Dames) - 4 caps, 20 points (4 tries)
Nomawethu Mabenge (Sanlam Boland Dames) - 17 caps, 70 points (14 tries)
Shaunique Hess (DHL Western Province) - 5 caps, 10 points (2 tries)
Eloise Webb (Border Ladies) - 10 tests, 30 points (6 tries)
Ayanda Malinga (Bulls Daisies) - 8 tests, 50 points (10 tries)
Maria Tshiremba (Bulls Daisies) – uncapped
Byrhandrѐ Dolf (Bulls Daisies) - 14 caps 15 points (3 tries)
Pre-WXV match schedule:
Saturday, 7 September
Springbok Women v Barbarians
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 1:30pm
Thursday, 19 September
Springbok Women v Spain
Venue: DHL Stadium, Cape Town
Kick-off: 5pm