Springbok Women’s head coach Swys de Bruin has retained the core of the squad that made history at last year’s Rugby World Cup after naming a heavily experienced 30-player group for the upcoming two-Test series against the USA.
Twenty-two players from the team’s breakthrough run to the World Cup quarter-finals have been locked in for the blockbusting fixtures at Ellis Park on 4 July and Loftus Versfeld on 11 July. A further eight players have been rewarded for standout individual performances during the recent Rugby Africa Women’s Cup and the domestic Women’s Premier League.
Amongst the highly anticipated new faces are the continental tournament’s breakout star, loose forward Logan Welman, powerful prop Thandile Mazwi, and dynamic backline utility Shaunique Alexander, who all earned their maiden international caps during the recent tour of Kenya.
The series will be played as high-profile double-headers alongside the men’s senior Springbok side’s opening two Nations Championship fixtures, marking an immense milestone for a women’s game eager to capitalise on its most successful global campaign to date.
Amongst the returning heavyweight stars are England-based forwards Danelle Lochner and Micke Gunter, who rejoin the national setup following stellar premier club seasons with Harlequins and Leicester Tigers respectively.
The squad wrapped up a grueling two-week alignment camp in Stellenbosch on Friday before traveling up to Johannesburg. De Bruin revealed that the playing group had rapidly rediscovered the formidable tactical chemistry that underpinned their historic World Cup journey.
“This squad has not played together since last year’s Women’s Rugby World Cup, but once we got together in camp, it did not take long at all for us to rediscover that beautiful synergy we had last year,” De Bruin told reporters.
“The USA have been battle-hardened in the Pacific Four Series against New Zealand, Australia, and Canada, so we fully expect them to bring significant momentum into this historic series on South African soil. However, for the last two weeks, our absolute focus was strictly on ourselves. I am incredibly pleased to say we concluded this camp feeling exceptionally positive about our tactical outcomes.”
For dynamic hooker Gunter, the inaugural home Test series against the Americans provides the perfect platform to prove that South Africa’s sudden ascension to the world’s top table was merely the opening chapter.
“We left the Springbok jersey in a very special, elevated place after the World Cup, but now it is our responsibility to take it another step forward — to level up and carry that jersey to an even better place,” Gunter reflected earlier in the week. “The fans can expect a massive fight from this squad, but also a relentless internal drive to become better than we have ever been in our history.”
The visiting Eagles, currently ranked eighth in the world, arrive in South Africa with significant match fitness under their belts. Gunter expects a highly physical, demanding contest from an athletic opponent.
“I have played alongside some of them and lined up against others in the PWR (Premiership Women’s Rugby) competition over in England. They are world-class athletes and exceptionally sharp rugby players, and I believe it is going to be a fantastic match-up.”
Seven key squad members were ruled unavailable for selection due to ongoing injury rehabilitation and strict return-to-play protocols, including the explosive, experienced back Nadine Roos.
Meanwhile, De Bruin confirmed that the identity of the squad’s new permanent captain — following the iconic Nolusindiso Booi’s retirement from the international arena — will be kept tightly under wraps until the starting line-up for the opening Test is officially unveiled next week.
Springbok Women’s squad:
Forwards: Sanelisiwe Charlie, Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Yonela Ngxingolo, Thandile Mazwi, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Babalwa Latsha, Anushka Groenewald, Micke Gunter, Nomsa Mokwai, Danelle Lochner, Vainah Ubisi, Anathi Qolo, Sizophila Solontsi, Sinelitha Noxeke, Lerato Makua, Faith Tshauke, Catha Jacobs, Logan Welman.
Backs: Anacadia Minnaar, Felicia Jacobs, Unam Tose, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Eloise Webb.Aphiwe Ngwevu, Ayanda Malinga, Maceala Samboya, Alichia Arries, Byrhandré Dolf, Jakkie Cilliers, Shaunique Alexander.
