49-player squad named for 'next phase' of Springbok Women season

Swys de Bruin has named a 49-player squad that will begin preparations for the Springbok Women’s remaining Tests in 2026.

Already this calendar year South Africa have retained their Rugby Africa Women’s Cup in Kenya and played a two-match series against the USA Women’s Eagles on home soil.

The second of those Tests against the North Americans came on Saturday afternoon at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria.

Having won by a large margin one week prior in Johannesburg, South Africa were unable to deal with the USA’s blend of power and individual brilliance.

At the final whistle the Eagles were 26-19 winners as braces for Hope Rogers and Telesi Uhatafe – as well as three Bella Vogel conversions – surpassed the efforts of Alichia Arries, Micke Gunter and Ayanda Malinga.

South Africa’s next confirmed Test match will come at the start of September when the Springboks are scheduled to meet the Black Ferns at Soweto’s FNB Stadium as part of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry.

“The next phase of our preparation starts now, and we have extended invitations to some players outside of the group that did so well in Kenya and against the USA,” De Bruin said.

“The players who did duty against the USA will have a short break, before all the invited players will start to reconvene in Stellenbosch the following week in various groups based on individual development needs.”

Wider Springbok Women squad

Forwards

Sanelisiwe Charlie, Xoliswa Khuzwayo, Yonela Ngxingolo, Anuschka Ekron, Babalwa Latsha, Nombuyekezo Mdliki, Thandile Mazwi, Anothando Katshwa, Lindelwa Gwala, Anushka Groenewald, Micke Gunter, Jada Davids, Roseline Botes, Vainah Ubisi, Nomsa Mokwai, Zethu Gcaza, Danelle Lochner, Anathi Qolo, Abigail Smit, Sizophila Solontsi, Sinelitha Noxeke, Faith Tshauke, Palesa Matee, Ntsako Mbombi, Lerato Makua, Catha Jacobs, Nobuhle Mjwara, Logan Welman, Aseza Hele

Backs

Unam Tose, Anacadia Minnaar, Felicia Jacobs, Libbie Janse van Rensburg, Eloise Webb, Hayley Hardneck, Aphiwe Ngwevu, Shiniqwa Lamprecht, Ayanda Malinga, Zintle Mpupha, Isabela Nel, Jané Mulder, Alichia Arries, Jakkie Cilliers, Maria Tshiremba, Maceala Samboya, Patience Mokone, Shaunique Alexander, Thobile Msizazwe, Byrhandré Dolf