Experienced Bok Women squad named for Canada opener

The Springbok Women will face one of their toughest assignments in recent years when they take on Canada next month, with a squad of 26 players named to assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday for the first test, next Saturday at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria, against the No 2 ranked team in the world as they step up their preparations for the Rugby World Cup.

Both tests – the second takes place at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on 12 July – will be played as curtain-raisers to the Springboks’ Castle Lager Incoming Series matches against Italy.

Regular captain Nolusindiso Booi, the most experienced test player in the history of the Springbok Women, is among the 16 forwards named by the team’s performance coach Swys de Bruin in the squad. The match-23 for the first test will be announced next Thursday.

The squad is laden with experience, with only three forwards – Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Luchell Hanekom and Danelle Lochner – that did not represent South Africa at the previous Rugby World Cup in New Zealand. Nine of the 10 backs named also travelled to New Zealand three years ago, with only Byrhandré Dolf that has not played in the world showpiece.

However, Dolf has played in all 20 tests that the Springbok Women have played since, with her debut against Canada in 2023, the last time the two teams faced off. Canada won that test, on 25 March 2023, by 66-7 in Madrid, Spain.

Mdliki, Hanekom, Nomsa Mokwai, Lerato Makua, Unam Tose and Dolf are the only remaining players from the group that claimed the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Antananarivo earlier this month that will be in Johannesburg next week.

De Bruin said the recent performances by the team in Madagascar did influence selection, but the planning for the first test against Canada was done earlier in the season.

“We have established what we wanted to get out of the first test against Canada a while back and these six players were among those that we wanted to give more gametime and experience in Madagascar,” said De Bruin.

“It is a very experienced group overall and we have a good idea of the match day 23 already. We also have 13 players on standby and not in camp, but still in the running for selection in the second test match.”

STANDBY PLAYERS

Eleven of the players on standby will be based at the Stellenbosch Academy of Sport for recovery and fitness work. They are Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Anushka Groenewald, Roseline Botes, Vainah Ubisi, Nobuhle Mjwara, Alicia Willemse, Mary Zulu, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Leigh Fortuin, Patience Mokone and Maceala Samboya, while Anathi Qolo and Faith Tshauke will train with their provincial outfit, the Bulls Daisies, in Pretoria.

Rights Mkhari and Lusanda Dumke have not received medical clearance to return to play and are currently unavailable for selection.

De Bruin said they are under no illusions about the challenge ahead as Canada achieved stunning success in the recent Pacific Four tournament. They beat Australia by 45-7 in Brisbane, drew 27-27 with New Zealand in Christchurch, and beat the USA 26-14 in Kansas City.

“They are second in the world, and we are ranked twelfth, so the gap is massive, and we are certainly huge underdogs,” said De Bruin.

“But we wanted to be tested against a top side before the Rugby World Cup and this is it. We are hoping to be tested physically and tactically by Canada and our focus will be on how to respond to those challenges.”

Meanwhile, the Bok Women’s next two matches after the Canada series will take place at Athlone Stadium in Cape Town, where they will face New Zealand’s Black Ferns XV on 26 July and 2 August. The venue hosted the last two WXV 2 tournaments and provides a wonderful pitch for all-action rugby matches. Both matches kick off at 5pm and tickets are on sale from only R20 from Quicket.

Springbok Women squad to assemble in Johannesburg on Sunday:

Forwards (16):

Sanelisiwe Charlie (Bulls Daisies) – 24 caps, 10 points (2 tries)

Yonela Ngxingolo (Bulls Daisies) – 33 caps, 15 points (3 tries)

Nombuyekezo Mdliki (Border Ladies) – 4 caps, 0 points

Babalwa Latsha (unattached) – 34 caps, 30 points (6 tries)

Azisa Mkiva (DHL Western Province) – 13 caps, 0 points

Luchell Hanekom (DHL Western Province) – 7 caps, 0 points

Micke Gunter (Bulls Daisies) – 11 caps, 5 points (1 try)

Lindelwa Gwala (unattached) – 35 caps, 75 points (15 tries)

Nolusindiso Booi (DHL Western Province) – 50 caps, 5 points (1 try)

Nomsa Mokwai (DHL Western Province) – 7 caps, 0 points