Ntoyanto to join Springbok Women in Madagascar

Asithandile Ntoyanto has been called up to join the Springbok Women in Antananarivo on Sunday for the remainder of the Rugby Africa Women's Cup, currently underway in Madagascar.

The Bulls Daisies prop, who turns 33 on Monday and has 21 test caps, replaces Aliyah Tchogna-Njamen, who along with Samantha Els (flanker) sustained fractures in Saturday’s opening match against Cameroon at Stade Makis.

Both Els and Tchogna-Njamen, who made starting debuts for the Springbok Women in the victory over Cameroon, are returning to South Africa for medical treatment on Sunday.

Els will not be replaced in the squad as the coaching team feel they have enough cover.

Ntoyanto last played for the Springbok Women in WXV 2 in 2023 and came off the bench to earn her 21st cap against Samoa. She also represented the Bok Women at two Rugby World Cups.

Springbok Women forwards coach Laurian Johannes-Haupt said Ntoyanto’s experience will be beneficial to their cause of defending their African title and qualify for next year’s Rugby World Cup in England.

“Asithandile brings a wealth of experience with her and the fact that she can pack down both sides of the scrum will also benefit us,” said Johannes-Haupt.

“It is never nice to lose players due to injury and we feel for those players and wish them a speedy recovery.”

South Africa’s next fixture is against Kenya on Wednesday (12h00 SA time).