Springbok Women head coach Swys de Bruin has bolstered his squad for the upcoming Rugby Africa Women’s Cup by handing recalls to influential duo Sizophila Solontsi and Nomawethu Mabenge.
The pair join a 36-player training group set to assemble in Stellenbosch on May 10 as South Africa prepares to defend its continental crown in Kenya.
Solontsi returns after missing the previous alignment camp due to a head injury sustained during the Women’s Super League 1 final in Pretoria. Mabenge, meanwhile, has successfully completed her rehabilitation from a knee injury, during which she spent time training with the Springbok Women’s Sevens team.
Their inclusion, alongside national sevens player Lerato Makua, adds significant experience and physicality to a squad that has already been boosted by ten uncapped players earlier this month.
“The new players we’ve invited will add that extra layer of intensity that we will need in Kenya next month,” said De Bruin. “I hope the invited players will make it very tough for me to select the final group to travel.”
The training camp serves as the final hurdle before the squad is trimmed to 28 players on May 20. The team will then travel to Nairobi to compete at the RFUEA Grounds, facing Madagascar, Uganda, and the host nation, Kenya.
Currently ranked 10th in the world, the Springbok Women are using the tournament as a critical building block for a packed 2026 international season.
Springbok Women training squad for the Rugby Africa Women’s Cup:
Luchell Hanekom, Roseline Botes, Sinazo Mcatshulwa, Logan Welman, Abigail Smit, Thandile Mazwi, Anothando Khatshwa, Babalwa Latsha, Anushka Groenewald, Insaaf Levy, Alichia Arries, Nomsa Mokwai (all Western Province), Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Ntsako Mbombi (Golden Lions Women), Mary Zulu, Nobuhle Mjwara, Lindelwa Gwala (all Sharks Women), Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Zethu Gcaza (all Border Ladies), Siphenathi Yeko, Anacadia Minnaar (both EP Queens), Nomawethu Mabenge (Boland Dames), Sanelisiwe Charlie, Yonela Ngxingolo, Vainah Ubisi, Anathi Qolo, Faith Tshauke, Sinelitha Noxeke, Unam Tose, Jakkie Cilliers, Naima Hlatshwayo, Chuma Qawe, Shaunique Alexander, Sizophila Solontsi, Lerato Makua (all Bulls Daisies).
